Sandusky Co Westwood Acres Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sandusky County, Ohio

Sandusky Co Westwood Acres is a small advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Sandusky County, Ohio, United States. It serves a population of 150 and is situated near the coast of Lake Erie, reflecting the region's Great Lakes watershed context. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 75.71 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 37.85 m³/day, it operates well within its capacity. Under the US Clean Water Act, such facilities are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the Lake Erie basin, a vital freshwater resource that supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the lake from nutrient pollution, which can cause harmful algal blooms. Its proximity to the coast underscores the importance of stringent discharge controls to safeguard the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The plant discharges into the Lake Erie watershed, part of the Great Lakes system that ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Lake Erie is the shallowest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, supporting a rich fishery and serving as a critical water source. The advanced treatment at this plant helps mitigate nutrient loading, which is a key concern for the lake's water quality and ecological health.