Overview
Two Harbors WWTP serves approximately 3,667 residents in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The plant discharges treated wastewater into Lake Superior via Burlington Bay, supporting local water quality.
Two Harbors WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Two Harbors, Minnesota, along the shore of Lake Superior. The plant serves a population of about 3,667 residents, providing essential sanitation services for this Lake County community. Its location near Burlington Bay places it within the Lake Superior watershed, a critical freshwater resource. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Plants serving populations of this size commonly employ secondary treatment to meet federal standards. The designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day suggests the plant is sized appropriately for its service area. The plant's treated effluent discharges into Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes and a vital freshwater ecosystem. Lake Superior supports diverse aquatic life, including lake trout, whitefish, and various migratory fish species. The discharge location at Burlington Bay is a recreational area, underscoring the importance of effective wastewater treatment to protect water quality and public health.
Environmental context
Two Harbors WWTP discharges into Burlington Bay, an embayment of Lake Superior, which is part of the Great Lakes Basin. Lake Superior ultimately drains via the St. Marys River into Lake Huron and the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean. The bay supports recreational activities and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Protecting water quality is critical due to the lake's role as a drinking water source and its sensitive cold-water ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
Two Harbors WWTP is located in Two Harbors, Minnesota, near Burlington Bay on the shore of Lake Superior. The address is Burlington Bay Campground, Highway 61, Two Harbors, Lake County, Minnesota.
The plant serves approximately 3,667 residents in the city of Two Harbors and surrounding areas in Lake County, Minnesota.
The plant discharges treated effluent into Burlington Bay, which is part of Lake Superior. The discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act through an NPDES permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The plant protects the water quality of Lake Superior, which receives water from numerous rivers and streams in the region. The lake is a critical freshwater resource and part of the Great Lakes Basin.
As a municipal wastewater treatment plant, Two Harbors WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges. Plants serving populations over 3,000 typically need secondary treatment to meet effluent limits.
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