Lake County DPW Desplaines STP - Wastewater Treatment in Lake County, Illinois

Lake County DPW Desplaines STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Lake County, Illinois, serving a population of around 57,971. The plant is part of the county's public works infrastructure, managing wastewater from residential and commercial sources in the area. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating the plant's scale relative to the population served. The treated effluent is discharged into the Des Plaines River, which flows into the Illinois River and ultimately the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities, making proper treatment essential for regional water quality.

The plant discharges into the Des Plaines River, a tributary of the Illinois River, which joins the Mississippi River. This watershed drains a large portion of the Midwest and supports diverse aquatic species, including fish and migratory birds. The river's health is critical for downstream ecosystems and water supply, requiring effective nutrient removal to prevent eutrophication.