Overview
Marine City STP serves approximately 4,300 residents in Marine City, Michigan. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the St. Clair River system, part of the Great Lakes Basin.
Marine City STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Marine City, Michigan, along the St. Clair River. The plant serves a population of about 4,300 people, typical of a small agglomeration in the Great Lakes region. Its location on the St. Clair River places it within the larger Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie watershed. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day suggests the plant is sized to handle the community's wastewater flows. The plant's discharge enters the St. Clair River, which flows into Lake St. Clair and then the Detroit River, ultimately reaching Lake Erie. This waterway is ecologically significant as part of the Great Lakes system, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's performance is critical to protecting water quality in this sensitive international watershed.
Environmental context
The St. Clair River connects Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair and is part of the larger Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system. This river supports a diverse ecosystem including fish species such as walleye, lake sturgeon, and smallmouth bass. Downstream, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River feed into Lake Erie, which has experienced eutrophication issues from nutrient pollution. The Marine City STP's discharge must meet stringent limits to protect these interconnected water bodies.
Frequently asked questions
Marine City STP is located on South Parker Street in Marine City, Saint Clair County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves approximately 4,300 residents in the city of Marine City and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the St. Clair River, which flows into Lake St. Clair and eventually Lake Erie.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
For small communities in Michigan, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. Plants of this size often use activated sludge or lagoon systems to meet effluent limits.
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