Overview
W Carl Dicks WWTP serves approximately 86,900 residents in Lakeland, Florida. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, treating municipal wastewater for the Lakeland area.
W Carl Dicks WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, serving a population of approximately 86,900. The plant is part of the city's wastewater infrastructure, handling domestic sewage from residential and commercial sources in the Lakeland area. As a US-based facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For a population of this scale, secondary treatment is the federal minimum standard, though many plants in Florida employ advanced treatment to protect sensitive water bodies. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Peace River basin and then to Charlotte Harbor, an ecologically significant estuary on Florida's Gulf Coast. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life and are important for regional water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Peace River watershed, which flows into Charlotte Harbor on Florida's Gulf Coast. Charlotte Harbor is a large estuary that supports seagrass beds, mangroves, and diverse fish and shellfish populations. The region is ecologically sensitive due to nutrient loading concerns, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality and aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
W Carl Dicks WWTP is located at 3085 Venice Way, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, United States.
The plant serves approximately 86,900 residents in the Lakeland area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Peace River basin and ultimately to Charlotte Harbor on Florida's Gulf Coast.
As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, typically administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Under the Clean Water Act, secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal plants of this scale. Many Florida facilities employ advanced treatment to meet stringent nutrient limits and protect sensitive downstream estuaries like Charlotte Harbor.
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