Sewer District 11 Wastewater Treatment Plant, Medina County, Ohio

Sewer District 11 is a wastewater treatment facility located in Hinckley Township, Medina County, Ohio, serving a small population of 125. The plant provides advanced treatment, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which mandates National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. The plant has a designed capacity of 45.42 volume units and currently discharges 30.28 volume units, indicating operational headroom. Advanced treatment typically includes processes such as tertiary filtration or nutrient removal, which are common for plants in sensitive watersheds. The facility is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, reducing direct marine impact. The treated effluent likely enters a local stream or river within the Lake Erie basin, as Medina County drains northward. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses in the region's waterways.

The plant discharges into a local water body that is part of the Lake Erie watershed. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes and supports diverse aquatic life, including important fish species. The advanced treatment at Sewer District 11 helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing algal blooms in the lake. The facility's inland location minimizes direct coastal impacts.