MARENISCO TWP STP - Marenisco Township, Michigan Wastewater Treatment Plant

MARENISCO TWP STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Marenisco Township, Gogebic County, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. The plant serves a small population of 482 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant has a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters per year and currently discharges approximately 113.56 megaliters annually. As a secondary treatment facility, it uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all point source discharges, ensuring compliance with effluent limits. The treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters that drain into the Lake Superior basin. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including native fish species and migratory birds. The plant's location in a rural, forested area means its discharge must be carefully managed to protect downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Lake Superior watershed, one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world. Lake Superior supports cold-water fish species such as lake trout and whitefish, and its shoreline provides critical habitat for migratory birds. The region's forested landscape and low population density mean that maintaining water quality is essential for preserving the natural environment and recreational uses.