Overview
North Baltimore WWTP and Sewer System serves the village of North Baltimore, Ohio, treating wastewater for approximately 3,351 residents. The plant discharges into local waterways within the Maumee River basin, ultimately reaching Lake Erie.
The North Baltimore WWTP and Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in North Baltimore, Ohio, United States. It serves a small community of about 3,351 people, typical of rural wastewater infrastructure in the Midwest. The plant is situated in Wood County and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. As a small-scale facility, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment as a minimum standard under the Clean Water Act. Plants of this size commonly employ activated sludge or lagoon systems. Its population equivalent suggests a modest treatment capacity. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into a local receiving water body, which flows into the Maumee River basin. The Maumee River is the largest tributary to the Great Lakes, draining into Lake Erie at Toledo. This watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and contributing to the Lake Erie ecosystem, which faces challenges from nutrient pollution and algal blooms.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Maumee River, which flows northward through Ohio and Indiana before emptying into Lake Erie at Toledo. The Maumee River basin is a major agricultural region, and its waters carry nutrient runoff that contributes to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The plant's effluent, even after treatment, adds to the nutrient load, making advanced treatment or nutrient removal important for protecting downstream water quality. Lake Erie supports a vital fishery and provides drinking water for millions, so maintaining low nutrient levels is critical.
Frequently asked questions
The North Baltimore WWTP and Sewer System is located on High Street in North Baltimore, Wood County, Ohio, United States.
The plant serves approximately 3,351 residents of the village of North Baltimore and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Maumee River basin, ultimately reaching Lake Erie.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with permits issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Small municipal plants like this are required to meet secondary treatment standards.
For small communities in Ohio, common treatment technologies include activated sludge, extended aeration, or lagoon systems. These provide secondary treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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