Overview
Lake Wales STP serves approximately 18,250 residents in Lake Wales, Florida. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharge standards for municipal facilities.
Lake Wales STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 898 Henry Street in Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida. The plant serves a population of about 18,250 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category for US wastewater infrastructure. As a US facility, Lake Wales STP operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all point source discharges. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection typically issues these permits, setting effluent limits based on the receiving water body's characteristics and designated uses. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, though additional nutrient removal may be mandated in sensitive watersheds. The plant's treated effluent ultimately flows into the Peace River watershed, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico via Charlotte Harbor. This region supports diverse aquatic life, including manatees and estuarine species, making proper nutrient management critical to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
Lake Wales STP discharges into the Peace River basin, which flows southwest through central Florida to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The Peace River supports a variety of freshwater and estuarine habitats, including wetlands and floodplain forests. Downstream, Charlotte Harbor is an ecologically sensitive estuary that provides nursery grounds for fish and shellfish, making nutrient and pathogen control important for protecting regional biodiversity and recreational uses.
Frequently asked questions
Lake Wales STP is located at 898 Henry Street in Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida, United States.
The plant serves approximately 18,250 residents in the Lake Wales area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Peace River watershed, which flows to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico.
As a US municipal wastewater plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and requires an NPDES permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, setting limits on pollutants like BOD, TSS, and nutrients.
Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Depending on the receiving water body, additional nutrient removal may be required to meet water quality standards.
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