Port Washington WWTP, Port Washington

Overview

Port Washington WWTP serves approximately 11,272 people in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The facility is located near Lake Michigan and operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations.

Port Washington WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the city of Port Washington in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. The plant serves a population of about 11,272 and is situated on Lake Street near the Lake Michigan shoreline. As a medium-sized agglomeration, it plays a key role in managing wastewater for the community. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a facility sized for the local population. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such plants are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Port Washington WWTP discharges into Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Lake Michigan supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operations are critical to preventing nutrient pollution and protecting the lake's ecological health.

Environmental context

Port Washington WWTP discharges into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system that ultimately drains to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting fisheries, recreation, and municipal water supplies. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores the importance of effective treatment to prevent eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in the lake.

Frequently asked questions

Port Washington WWTP is located on Lake Street in Port Washington, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States.

The plant serves approximately 11,272 people in the Port Washington area.

The treated effluent is discharged into Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes, which is a major freshwater resource.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, requiring secondary treatment and effluent limits.

For medium-sized agglomerations in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard, often involving biological processes like activated sludge, followed by disinfection, to meet NPDES permit limits.