WABENO SD 1 STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Town of Wabeno, Wisconsin

WABENO SD 1 STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in the Town of Wabeno, Forest County, Wisconsin. The plant serves a small population of approximately 950 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 378.54 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 302.83 cubic meters, indicating it operates below its design capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal wastewater plants, and this facility is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Peshtigo River watershed, which ultimately flows into Green Bay on Lake Michigan. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the larger Lake Michigan basin, a critical freshwater resource for the region. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Peshtigo River, which flows into Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan. This watershed supports coldwater fisheries and is important for migratory birds. The area is part of the Lake Michigan basin, a major freshwater ecosystem that provides drinking water and recreation for millions. Protecting water quality here helps sustain aquatic habitats and downstream communities.