Overview
LAWRENCE STP is a secondary treatment plant serving Lawrence Township, Michigan. It discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, with a designed capacity of 681.37 volume units and an average daily flow of 492.10.
LAWRENCE STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Lawrence Township, Van Buren County, Michigan. Serving a population of approximately 889 residents, the plant provides secondary treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids from domestic wastewater before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 681.37 volume units and an average daily flow of 492.10, the facility maintains a utilization rate of about 72 percent, indicating adequate capacity for current demand. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into Lake Michigan via the Paw Paw River and the St. Joseph River system. This connection to the Great Lakes ecosystem underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect water quality and aquatic habitats in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Paw Paw River, which flows into the St. Joseph River and then into Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as lake trout and whitefish. The watershed is also important for migratory birds and local recreation. Effective secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
LAWRENCE STP is located on North Paw Paw Street in Lawrence Township, Van Buren County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves a population of approximately 889 residents in Lawrence Township and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local tributary that flows into the Paw Paw River, then into the St. Joseph River, and ultimately into Lake Michigan.
LAWRENCE STP provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater to remove biodegradable organics and suspended solids.
As a U.S. facility, LAWRENCE STP operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
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