Lake Co Dodd s Hill WWTP - Advanced Treatment Facility in Waite Hill, Ohio

Lake Co Dodd s Hill WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Gardenside Drive in Waite Hill, Ohio, within Lake County. The plant serves a small population of 192 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or suburban community near the southern shore of Lake Erie. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 90.85 units and a current discharge volume of 75.71 units, the facility operates below its capacity. As a US plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, which set limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into Lake Erie, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Erie is a vital freshwater resource that supports diverse aquatic life, provides drinking water for millions, and is a major recreational and economic asset. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing harmful algal blooms in the lake.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Grand River or a direct Lake Erie tributary, which flows into Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the shallowest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, supporting a rich fishery and serving as a key migratory corridor for birds. The lake is sensitive to nutrient pollution, and advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce phosphorus and nitrogen inputs that can fuel algal blooms.