Overview
Hopkins STP is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving 566 people in Hopkins, Michigan. It discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the Lake Michigan basin.
Hopkins STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Hopkins, Michigan, serving a small population of 566 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size in the United States, ensuring compliance with Clean Water Act requirements. The plant has a designed capacity of 302.83 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 189.27 cubic meters, operating well within its capacity. As a US facility, it operates under an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated wastewater is discharged into a local receiving water body that drains into the Kalamazoo River watershed and ultimately into Lake Michigan. This connection to the Great Lakes ecosystem underscores the importance of effective treatment to prevent nutrient pollution and protect aquatic habitats.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the Kalamazoo River, which flows into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as lake trout and whitefish, and is a vital resource for recreation and drinking water. Effective secondary treatment helps reduce biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids, safeguarding downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Hopkins STP is located in Hopkins, Michigan, United States, at 118 East Main Street, within Allegan County.
The plant serves a population of 566 residents, typical of a small community in rural Michigan.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Kalamazoo River watershed, ultimately reaching Lake Michigan.
As a US facility, Hopkins STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Plants serving small populations like Hopkins STP typically provide secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard under the Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater.
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