SAUGATUCK WWTP, Saugatuck Township

Overview

SAUGATUCK WWTP serves Saugatuck Township, Michigan, treating wastewater for approximately 3,167 residents. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day and operates under U.S. EPA NPDES regulations.

SAUGATUCK WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 6449 Old Allegan Road in Saugatuck Township, Allegan County, Michigan. The plant serves a population of about 3,167 people, reflecting a small community in the western part of the state near the Lake Michigan shoreline. 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 small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides recreational and drinking water resources for the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality in the Lake Michigan basin.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River or directly into Lake Michigan via local drainage. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting fisheries, recreation, and municipal water supplies. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with habitats for migratory fish and waterfowl. Protecting this system from nutrient pollution and pathogens is critical for maintaining water quality in the Great Lakes.

Frequently asked questions

SAUGATUCK WWTP is located at 6449 Old Allegan Road in Saugatuck Township, Allegan County, Michigan, United States.

The plant serves approximately 3,167 residents in Saugatuck Township and surrounding areas.

The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that drains into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system.

As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by Michigan EGLE, which sets effluent limits for pollutants.

Small plants in Michigan typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting state and federal standards.