Iron Junction STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Iron Junction, Minnesota

Iron Junction STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Iron Junction, Saint Louis County, Minnesota. Serving a small population of 85 residents, the plant provides secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 37.85 megaliters per year, the facility manages the community's wastewater through biological treatment processes typical for small agglomerations. Treated effluent from the plant discharges into the local watershed, which drains into the St. Louis River and ultimately into Lake Superior. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the Great Lakes Basin, a critical freshwater resource for the region.

The plant discharges into the St. Louis River watershed, which flows into Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. This ecosystem supports cold-water fish species and provides important habitat for migratory birds. The region's iron-rich geology influences local water chemistry, and the plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality.