Northwest Regional WRF at Fox Lake, Illinois Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Northwest Regional WRF at Fox Lake is a wastewater treatment facility located in Fox Lake, Illinois, serving a population of approximately 66,801 residents. The plant is situated in Lake County, within the Chicago metropolitan area, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the community. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The designed capacity is 1. 00 million gallons per day, indicating a medium-sized facility. As a US plant, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Fox River watershed, which flows into the Illinois River and ultimately the Mississippi River. This drainage basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant's operations are critical for maintaining water quality in the region's surface waters.

The plant discharges into the Fox River basin, part of the larger Illinois River watershed that drains into the Mississippi River. This system supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive areas such as the Illinois River floodplain, which is important for nutrient cycling and biodiversity. Effective wastewater treatment helps prevent eutrophication and protects recreational uses of these water bodies.