Overview
Ladysmith WWTP serves approximately 3,400 residents in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Flambeau River, part of the Chippewa River basin flowing to the Mississippi River.
Ladysmith WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wisconsin. It serves a population of about 3,414 people, classifying it as a small to medium-sized plant under US EPA standards. The plant is situated near the Flambeau River, which is a key waterway in the region. As a US facility, Ladysmith WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's design and operation align with state and federal regulations to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Ladysmith WWTP is discharged into the Flambeau River, a tributary of the Chippewa River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life and are used for recreation, making proper treatment essential for maintaining ecological health and downstream water quality.
Environmental context
Ladysmith WWTP discharges into the Flambeau River, which flows into the Chippewa River and then the Mississippi River, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The Flambeau River supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for aquatic invertebrates. The plant's location in a rural, inland area means its discharge can affect local water quality and downstream ecosystems, particularly during low-flow periods.
Frequently asked questions
Ladysmith WWTP is located on Riverside Circle in Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wisconsin, United States.
Ladysmith WWTP serves approximately 3,414 residents, making it a small to medium-sized municipal treatment plant.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Flambeau River, which is part of the Chippewa River basin and ultimately flows to the Mississippi River.
As a US facility, Ladysmith WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is standard, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA secondary treatment standards.
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