Overview
South Bend WWTP serves approximately 120,000 people in South Bend, Indiana. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, discharging treated wastewater into the St. Joseph River watershed.
South Bend WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in South Bend, Indiana, serving a population of about 120,000. The plant is situated near the Indiana Toll Road in Saint Joseph County and plays a key role in managing the region's wastewater. As a large agglomeration under US regulations, the plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a substantial infrastructure investment to meet community needs. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the St. Joseph River, which flows into Lake Michigan, a vital freshwater resource. The plant's operations are critical for protecting downstream water quality and supporting aquatic ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin.
Environmental context
The South Bend WWTP discharges into the St. Joseph River, a tributary of Lake Michigan. The river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important recreational and ecological resource. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in the Great Lakes basin, which is a sensitive ecosystem requiring careful management of nutrient and pollutant loads.
Frequently asked questions
South Bend WWTP is located in South Bend, Saint Joseph County, Indiana, near the Indiana Toll Road.
The plant serves approximately 119,763 people in the South Bend area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the St. Joseph River, which flows into Lake Michigan.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Plants of this scale typically provide at least secondary treatment, often with nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like the Great Lakes.
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