Manawa WWTP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Manawa, Wisconsin

Manawa WWTP is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in Manawa, Wisconsin, serving a population of approximately 1,737 residents. The plant is situated in Waupaca County, within the state's inland region, and operates as part of the municipal infrastructure managed by the city. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. It has a designed capacity of 772.22 million gallons per year and currently discharges 601.88 million gallons per year, indicating operational headroom. As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into a local receiving water body, which ultimately drains into the Lake Michigan basin via the Wolf River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides recreational and ecological value to the region. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality in this sensitive Great Lakes ecosystem.

The plant discharges into a local waterway that flows into the Wolf River, a tributary of Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan basin is a critical freshwater resource supporting diverse fish populations, migratory birds, and recreational activities. Advanced treatment at the plant reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication and algal blooms in downstream waters, which is especially important for the Great Lakes ecosystem.