Port Sanilac Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sanilac Township, Michigan

Port Sanilac wastewater treatment plant is located in Sanilac Township, Michigan, United States, serving a small community of 629 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for municipal wastewater in the region, and has a designed capacity of 378.54 volume units with an average daily discharge of 227.13 volume units. As a facility in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Secondary treatment is typical for small communities and meets federal requirements for removing organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Lake Huron watershed, a vital freshwater resource and part of the Great Lakes system. The discharge location is within 10 km of the Lake Huron coast, making it important to protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.

The plant discharges into the Lake Huron basin, part of the Great Lakes system, which ultimately drains into the St. Lawrence River and the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Huron supports a diverse ecosystem including fish species such as lake trout and walleye, and provides drinking water for millions. The proximity to the coast requires careful management to prevent nutrient loading and algal blooms.