Overview
Lorain Black River WWTP serves 67,371 people in Lorain, Ohio, discharging treated wastewater into the Black River, a tributary of Lake Erie. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program.
Lorain Black River WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Lorain, Ohio, on the southern shore of Lake Erie. It serves a population of approximately 67,371 residents in the city and surrounding areas, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under US regulatory standards. The plant's designed capacity is 1. As a US facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits based on the Clean Water Act. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, with potential nutrient removal requirements due to the sensitive Great Lakes watershed. The treated effluent is discharged into the Black River, which flows northward into Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the shallowest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical freshwater resource. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall water quality management in the Lake Erie basin, where phosphorus reduction is a key environmental priority.
Environmental context
The Black River flows through Lorain County and empties into Lake Erie, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Erie supports a vibrant fishery and provides drinking water for millions. The watershed faces challenges from nutrient pollution, particularly phosphorus, which can cause harmful algal blooms. The plant's discharge is regulated to protect this sensitive ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Alabama Avenue in downtown Lorain, Ohio, within Lorain County, near the southern shore of Lake Erie.
The plant serves approximately 67,371 residents in Lorain and surrounding areas, classifying it as a medium-to-large municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Black River, which flows northward and empties into Lake Erie. The discharge is regulated under the US Clean Water Act via an NPDES permit.
As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, enforced through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, often with advanced nutrient removal to meet Great Lakes water quality goals, including phosphorus reduction.
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