MILWAUKEE MSD COMBINED Wastewater Treatment Plant, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE MSD COMBINED is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, serving a population of approximately 1,114,952. The plant is situated in the Menomonee River Valley and discharges into Lake Michigan, a vital freshwater resource for the region. As a large agglomeration serving over one million people, the plant is subject to stringent federal and state regulations under the US Clean Water Act. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge limits and monitoring requirements. Plants of this scale typically employ advanced treatment to meet water quality standards for Lake Michigan. The plant's discharge directly affects Lake Michigan, which is part of the Great Lakes system, the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. The lake supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operations are critical to protecting this ecologically sensitive water body from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.

The plant discharges into Lake Michigan, which drains through the Great Lakes system to the St. Lawrence River and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Michigan supports a diverse ecosystem including native fish species and migratory birds. The watershed is heavily urbanized, making the plant's nutrient removal and pollutant control essential for preventing algal blooms and maintaining water quality.