STERLING WWSL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Deep River Township, Michigan

STERLING WWSL is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Deep River Township, Arenac County, Michigan. The plant serves a small population of 493 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 340.69 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 189.27 cubic meters per day, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth. The plant's discharge enters the local watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Huron via the Saginaw Bay system. As a coastal facility within 10 km of Lake Huron, the plant plays a role in protecting the water quality of this Great Lake, which supports diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.

The plant discharges into the Lake Huron watershed, specifically the Saginaw Bay drainage basin. Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes, providing critical habitat for fish species such as lake trout and walleye. The coastal location means treated effluent must meet strict standards to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the lake's ecosystem, which supports both biodiversity and regional tourism.