Malinta WWTP and Sewers | Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Henry County, Ohio

Malinta WWTP and Sewers is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Henry County, Ohio, serving a small population of 285 residents. The plant is situated in a rural area of northwestern Ohio, within the Maumee River basin, which drains into Lake Erie. The facility provides advanced treatment, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal plants. With a designed capacity of 196.84 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 189.27 cubic meters per day, the plant operates near its design capacity. As a US facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately flow into the Maumee River and then Lake Erie. Lake Erie is a vital freshwater resource that supports drinking water, recreation, and a diverse aquatic ecosystem. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for mitigating harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Maumee River, which flows into the western basin of Lake Erie. This region is part of the Great Lakes watershed, one of the largest freshwater systems in the world. Lake Erie's western basin is particularly sensitive to nutrient pollution, which can cause harmful algal blooms. The advanced treatment at Malinta WWTP helps minimize phosphorus and nitrogen inputs, supporting the health of the lake's ecosystem and downstream communities.