Madeline SD STP - Town of La Pointe, Wisconsin Wastewater Treatment Plant

Madeline SD STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) serves the Town of La Pointe, located on Madeline Island in Ashland County, Wisconsin. The plant treats wastewater for a population of approximately 3,000 residents, operating as a secondary treatment facility. Its location on an island in Lake Superior places it in a sensitive coastal environment. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 617.02 volume units and a discharge volume of 132.49 volume units, the plant operates well below its capacity. As a U.S. facility, it operates under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. The treated effluent discharges into the waters near Madeline Island, which are part of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Superior supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including native fish species and migratory birds. The plant's coastal location requires careful management to protect the lake's water quality and ecological health.

The plant discharges into the waters surrounding Madeline Island, which are part of Lake Superior's vast freshwater system. Lake Superior drains through the St. Marys River into Lake Huron and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. The local watershed supports cold-water fish species and provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl. The plant's proximity to the lake necessitates stringent nutrient and pathogen control to prevent eutrophication and protect recreational uses.