Walled Lake WWTP | Novi, Michigan Wastewater Treatment Plant

Walled Lake WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Novi, Michigan, within Oakland County. It serves a population of about 36,118 people, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category under U.S. regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 kilometers from the Great Lakes coast. As a U.S. facility, Walled Lake WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is the minimum standard, with potential additional nutrient removal requirements to protect sensitive receiving waters. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Huron River system and eventually reaches Lake Erie via the Detroit River. This water body is part of the Great Lakes basin, a critical freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant discharges into the Huron River watershed, which flows into the Detroit River and ultimately Lake Erie, part of the Great Lakes system. This region supports diverse aquatic species and is a vital freshwater resource. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms in Lake Erie, making effective treatment essential for downstream ecosystem health.