Harrisville STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Harrisville, Michigan

Harrisville STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Harrisville, Alcona County, Michigan, along the eastern shore of the state. The plant serves a small population of 276 residents and is situated near the coast of Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 340.69 thousand gallons per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 227.13 thousand gallons per day. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, municipal wastewater treatment plants are required to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits, which for secondary treatment include standards for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's discharge is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The treated effluent is discharged into the Lake Huron watershed, which is part of the larger Great Lakes Basin. Lake Huron supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's proximity to the coast means its discharge must meet strict water quality standards to protect the sensitive nearshore environment and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into the Lake Huron watershed, which drains into the Great Lakes system and ultimately to the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic Ocean. Lake Huron is a large freshwater lake that supports diverse fish populations, including lake trout and walleye, and provides habitat for migratory birds. The nearshore zone is ecologically sensitive, with spawning areas and wetlands that require protection from nutrient enrichment and contaminants. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce the risk of eutrophication and maintains water quality for recreation and aquatic life.