Overview
Wakarusa WWTP serves the town of Wakarusa, Indiana, treating wastewater for a population of 1,667. The plant discharges into local waterways within the St. Joseph River basin, ultimately draining to Lake Michigan.
Wakarusa WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Wakarusa, Indiana, a small town in Elkhart County. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,667 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale treatment facility for the local community. As a US-based plant, Wakarusa WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. For a facility of this size, secondary treatment is the standard requirement under federal regulations, ensuring that effluent meets water quality standards before discharge. The treated effluent from Wakarusa WWTP is discharged into a local receiving water body, which flows into the St. Joseph River. The St. Joseph River is a major tributary of Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities, making proper treatment essential for protecting regional water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the St. Joseph River, which flows northwest through Indiana and Michigan before emptying into Lake Michigan at Benton Harbor. Lake Michigan is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world and supports a complex ecosystem, including native fish species and migratory birds. The St. Joseph River watershed is ecologically sensitive, with wetlands and floodplains that provide habitat and water filtration. Proper wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient loading and contamination that could harm this downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
Wakarusa WWTP is located on Washington Street in Wakarusa, Elkhart County, Indiana, United States.
The plant serves a population of 1,667 residents in the town of Wakarusa and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that flows into the St. Joseph River, which ultimately drains into Lake Michigan.
As a US facility, Wakarusa WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, ensuring compliance with water quality standards.
For small communities in the US, secondary treatment is the standard requirement under the Clean Water Act. This typically involves biological treatment processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
Nearby plants