Overview
Middleville Lagoon is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Thornapple Township, Michigan, serving about 2,721 people. It discharges treated water into local waterways, supporting the Grand River watershed.
Middleville Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Thornapple Township, Barry County, Michigan. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,721 residents, classifying it as a small-scale treatment system under U.S. EPA guidelines. It operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for discharges to surface waters. The plant uses a lagoon-based secondary treatment process, with a designed capacity of 832.79 volume units and an average daily discharge of 757.08 volume units. This indicates a utilization rate around 91%, suggesting the facility operates near its design capacity. As a secondary treatment plant, it removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids, meeting standard effluent limits for BOD and TSS. The treated effluent is discharged to a nearby water body that ultimately flows into the Grand River, which drains into Lake Michigan. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality and the ecological health of the Grand River basin, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses downstream.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the Grand River, which flows through western Michigan before emptying into Lake Michigan. The Grand River watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats, including fish spawning grounds and migratory bird corridors. Protecting water quality in this basin is critical for maintaining the ecological balance of Lake Michigan's nearshore zone.
Frequently asked questions
Middleville Lagoon is located on Sheridan Street in Thornapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves approximately 2,721 residents in the Thornapple Township area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local water body that flows into the Grand River, which ultimately drains into Lake Michigan.
Middleville Lagoon provides secondary treatment, which removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids, meeting standard U.S. Clean Water Act requirements.
Small plants like Middleville Lagoon operate under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). These permits set effluent limits and monitoring requirements.
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