Overview
Gwinn Sewage Lagoon in Forsyth Township, Michigan serves approximately 1,965 people. The facility operates under the US Clean Water Act framework for small agglomerations.
Gwinn Sewage Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Forsyth Township, Marquette County, Michigan. Serving a population of around 1,965, it is classified as a small agglomeration under US regulatory standards. The plant is situated in the Upper Peninsula region, an area characterized by cold winters and forested watersheds. As a small-scale facility, Gwinn Sewage Lagoon is subject to the US Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. Lagoons are a common treatment method in rural areas, providing primary and secondary treatment through natural biological processes. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized for its current service population. The treated effluent from Gwinn Sewage Lagoon discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain into Lake Michigan via the Escanaba River or other tributaries. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life, recreational activities, and municipal water supplies. The plant's operation is critical for protecting water quality in this sensitive Great Lakes ecosystem.
Environmental context
Gwinn Sewage Lagoon discharges into the Lake Michigan watershed, one of the largest freshwater systems in the world. The receiving waters support a variety of fish species, including lake trout and whitefish, and provide habitat for migratory birds. Protecting this watershed from nutrient pollution and pathogens is essential for maintaining the ecological health of the Great Lakes.
Frequently asked questions
Gwinn Sewage Lagoon is located at 218 North Heric Drive in Forsyth Township, Marquette County, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula region of the United States.
The plant serves approximately 1,965 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under US wastewater regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that flow into the Lake Michigan basin. The plant operates under NPDES permits that regulate discharge quality.
As a US facility, Gwinn Sewage Lagoon operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). These permits set limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
Small plants like Gwinn Sewage Lagoon often use lagoon systems or package treatment plants that provide secondary treatment. The US Clean Water Act requires secondary treatment for most municipal facilities, which typically includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and solids.
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