Overview
Port Huron WWTP serves approximately 48,869 people in Port Huron, Michigan. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the St. Clair River, which flows into Lake St. Clair and ultimately the Great Lakes system.
Port Huron WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 58 Merchant Street in Port Huron, Michigan, along the St. Clair River. The plant serves a population of approximately 48,869 residents in the city and surrounding areas, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under U.S. regulatory frameworks. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, and the designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a facility sized for the community's needs. The treated effluent is discharged into the St. Clair River, which flows southward into Lake St. Clair and then via the Detroit River into Lake Erie. This water body is part of the Great Lakes Basin, a critical freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life, recreational activities, and municipal water supplies for millions of people downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the St. Clair River, a major connecting channel between Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair. The river supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including fish species such as walleye and lake sturgeon, and is an important migratory corridor for waterfowl. The downstream environment includes Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, which ultimately drain into Lake Erie, part of the Great Lakes system. Protecting water quality in this chain is essential for maintaining the ecological health of the Great Lakes and ensuring safe drinking water for downstream communities.
Frequently asked questions
Port Huron WWTP is located at 58 Merchant Street in Port Huron, Michigan, United States, along the St. Clair River.
The plant serves approximately 48,869 people in Port Huron and the surrounding area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the St. Clair River, which flows into Lake St. Clair and then into the Detroit River and Lake Erie.
As a U.S. facility, Port Huron WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
For a medium-sized agglomeration like this, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, which includes biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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