NELSON STP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nelson, Wisconsin

NELSON STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Nelson, a small village in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, United States. The plant serves a population of approximately 405 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 158.99 megaliters and reports an annual discharge volume of 181.70 megaliters, indicating it operates near or at its design capacity. The treated effluent from NELSON STP is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mississippi River via the Chippewa River system. This region is part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, an ecologically significant area that supports diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with water quality standards.

NELSON STP discharges into the local tributaries of the Chippewa River, which flows into the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is a major ecological corridor in North America, supporting diverse fish species, migratory waterfowl, and riparian habitats. The watershed is part of the Driftless Area, known for its unique geology and high water quality. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems from nutrient pollution and organic loading.