Overview
La Crosse WWTP serves approximately 81,491 people in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mississippi River, supporting downstream water quality in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.
La Crosse WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, serving a population of around 81,491. The plant is situated near the Mississippi River, which is the primary receiving water body for treated effluent. As a medium-to-large agglomeration, the facility operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard for municipal wastewater plants. Facilities of this scale typically employ secondary or advanced treatment to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. The NPDES program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The Mississippi River is a major waterway that flows into the Gulf of Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. The La Crosse WWTP plays a key role in reducing nutrient and pollutant loads to the river, helping to mitigate hypoxia in the Gulf and maintain ecological health in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.
Environmental context
The La Crosse WWTP discharges into the Mississippi River, which flows southward through the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. The Upper Mississippi River supports a rich diversity of fish, mussels, and waterfowl, and is an important migratory corridor. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxic zones downstream, making effective treatment critical for the health of the river and the Gulf ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
La Crosse WWTP is located at 1164 Joseph Houska Drive, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States, near the Mississippi River.
The plant serves approximately 81,491 people in the La Crosse area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Mississippi River, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
U. S. plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, and may include nutrient removal to meet water quality standards.
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