Overview
Wakefield Twp STP serves 1,875 residents in Wakefield, Michigan. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and discharges into the Lake Superior watershed.
Wakefield Township Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is a municipal wastewater facility located on Wertanen Road in Wakefield, Gogebic County, Michigan. It serves a population of approximately 1,875 people in this small Upper Peninsula community. The plant is situated in a rural, inland area near the Wisconsin border. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the Clean Water Act. For small agglomerations like Wakefield, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized for the local population. The plant's treated effluent ultimately drains into the Lake Superior watershed, likely via the Presque Isle River or a tributary. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and supports diverse aquatic life, including lake trout, whitefish, and other cold-water species. The region's sensitive ecosystem requires careful management of nutrient and pollutant loads to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lake Superior basin, the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world. Lake Superior's cold, oligotrophic waters support a fragile ecosystem with species such as lake trout and brook trout. The watershed includes forested areas and wetlands that filter runoff. Protecting this water body from excess nutrients and contaminants is critical for maintaining its ecological health and recreational value.
Frequently asked questions
Wakefield Township Sewage Treatment Plant is located on Wertanen Road in Wakefield, Gogebic County, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border.
The plant serves approximately 1,875 residents in the Wakefield area, a small community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Lake Superior watershed, likely via a local river or stream that flows into the lake.
As a US facility, Wakefield Twp STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
For small agglomerations like Wakefield, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. This typically involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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