LEMONT WRP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lemont, Illinois

LEMONT WRP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Lemont, Illinois, a village in Cook County. The plant serves a population of about 16,000 people, providing essential wastewater treatment for the community. As part of the United States' wastewater infrastructure, it operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act, which requires permits for discharges to surface waters. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is a medium-sized facility. Plants of this scale in the US typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, often with additional nutrient removal to meet water quality standards. The plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which set limits on effluent quality. Treated wastewater from LEMONT WRP is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the Mississippi River system. This river basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for communities downstream. The plant's operations help protect local water quality and contribute to the health of the broader watershed.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Illinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River. This major river system drains a large portion of the central United States and supports a wide range of aquatic species, including fish and migratory birds. The watershed is influenced by agricultural runoff and urban development, making effective wastewater treatment crucial for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.