Overview
Lawrenceburg WWTP serves approximately 17,941 people in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Ohio River basin, supporting local water quality under the US Clean Water Act.
Lawrenceburg WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, Indiana, along the Aurora-Lawrenceburg Trail. The plant serves a population of about 17,941, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for US facilities. As part of the state's wastewater infrastructure, it plays a key role in managing sanitary sewage from the Lawrenceburg area. Under the US Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. These permits set effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other pollutants to protect receiving waters. The plant's treatment process and capacity are designed to handle the community's wastewater flows while complying with federal and state regulations. The treated effluent from Lawrenceburg WWTP ultimately discharges into the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. The Ohio River supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a drinking water source for millions downstream. The plant's operations contribute to maintaining the ecological health of this important waterway by reducing pollutant loads from the urbanized area.
Environmental context
Lawrenceburg WWTP discharges into the Ohio River, which flows southwest to join the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River watershed supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The plant's location in an industrial and urban corridor means its effluent quality is critical for maintaining the river's ecological balance and downstream water uses.
Frequently asked questions
Lawrenceburg WWTP is located in Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, Indiana, along the Aurora-Lawrenceburg Trail. It serves the Lawrenceburg area in the southeastern part of the state.
The plant serves approximately 17,941 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility in the United States.
The treated effluent from Lawrenceburg WWTP is discharged into the Ohio River, which is part of the Mississippi River basin. The discharge is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to protect water quality.
Lawrenceburg WWTP operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The plant must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, setting limits on pollutants like BOD and TSS.
For a plant serving about 18,000 people in Indiana, typical treatment includes primary and secondary processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by disinfection. The plant must meet secondary treatment standards under the Clean Water Act.
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