MARCELLUS LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, Marcellus Township, Michigan

MARCELLUS LAGOON is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Marcellus Township, Cass County, Michigan. It serves a small population of 983 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 454.25 units and a current discharge volume of 416.40 units, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating adequate headroom for current demand. As a small facility, it is subject to state-level NPDES permitting under Michigan's delegated authority. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or river within the St. Joseph River watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Michigan. This connection to the Great Lakes ecosystem underscores the importance of maintaining treatment standards to protect downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the St. Joseph River, which flows into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting the river's ecological health and the lake's water quality.