Valders STP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Valders, Wisconsin

Valders STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Valders, Wisconsin, a small village in Manitowoc County. The plant serves a population of about 997 people, classifying it as a small-scale treatment operation within the state's wastewater infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for most municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 965.28 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 529.96 million gallons per year, the plant operates below its capacity. As a U.S. facility, it operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Valders STP is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life, recreational activities, and municipal water supplies. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient and pollutant load in the watershed, making effective treatment essential for protecting the lake's ecological health.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Manitowoc River, which flows into Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is a large freshwater lake that supports a complex ecosystem, including native fish species and migratory birds. The watershed is predominantly agricultural, so nutrient management from wastewater and runoff is a key concern for preventing eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in the lake.