LARSEN WINCHESTER SD WWTP - Town of Clayton, Wisconsin Wastewater Treatment Plant

LARSEN WINCHESTER SD WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in the Town of Clayton, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. The plant serves a small population of 790 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or suburban community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a baseline for municipal wastewater plants. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 181.70 units and a current discharge volume of 158.99 units, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating room for growth or seasonal variability. As a US plant, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately drains to Lake Michigan, a major freshwater ecosystem. The proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means the discharge may influence nearshore water quality and aquatic habitats. The plant's operations are critical for protecting downstream waters from nutrient pollution and pathogens, supporting both ecological health and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into a water body that flows into Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Lake Michigan supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as lake trout and whitefish, and provides drinking water for millions. The nearshore zone is sensitive to nutrient inputs, which can cause algal blooms. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants, but nutrient removal may be limited, making its discharge a consideration for local water quality management.