Overview
ONTONAGON STP serves Carp Lake Township, Michigan, treating wastewater for approximately 1,544 residents. The plant operates under U.S. EPA and Michigan DEQ regulations for small communities.
ONTONAGON STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Carp Lake Township, Ontonagon County, Michigan, United States. It serves a small population of about 1,544 people, typical of rural Upper Peninsula communities. The plant is situated near Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, and its operations are critical to protecting this sensitive freshwater ecosystem. As a small-scale facility in the United States, the plant is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating adequate infrastructure for the current population. The plant's discharge ultimately reaches Lake Superior via local streams and the Ontonagon River watershed. Lake Superior is a globally significant freshwater resource, supporting cold-water fisheries, recreational use, and drinking water for millions. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient loading and contamination in this oligotrophic lake.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent flows into the Ontonagon River watershed, which drains into Lake Superior, the largest and most pristine of the Great Lakes. Lake Superior's cold, deep waters support a unique ecosystem including lake trout, whitefish, and other sensitive species. The watershed is predominantly forested with low population density, making pollution control critical to maintaining water quality. Discharges must meet strict limits to avoid algal blooms and protect aquatic life in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
ONTONAGON STP is located in Carp Lake Township, Ontonagon County, Michigan, United States, near the southern shore of Lake Superior.
The plant serves approximately 1,544 residents, typical of a small rural community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Ontonagon River and ultimately Lake Superior.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is permitted through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), enforced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
For small communities in Michigan, secondary treatment is standard, often using lagoons or activated sludge systems, with disinfection before discharge to protect Lake Superior.
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