Overview
WATERLOO WWTP serves Waterloo, Indiana, treating wastewater for approximately 2,200 residents. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework with NPDES permitting.
WATERLOO WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Waterloo, DeKalb County, Indiana. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,200 residents, classifying it as a small-scale treatment facility within the state's wastewater infrastructure. As a US-based plant, WATERLOO WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the St. Joseph River watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Erie via the Maumee River. This connection to the Great Lakes system underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the St. Joseph River watershed, a tributary of the Maumee River that flows into Lake Erie. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a larger basin that provides habitat for fish and migratory birds. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient loading and protect the ecological health of Lake Erie, which has experienced harmful algal blooms linked to phosphorus inputs.
Frequently asked questions
WATERLOO WWTP is located on East Van Vleek Street in Waterloo, DeKalb County, Indiana, United States.
The plant serves approximately 2,200 residents in the Waterloo area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the St. Joseph River watershed, which flows into the Maumee River and ultimately Lake Erie.
As a US facility, WATERLOO WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management or the US EPA.
Small plants like WATERLOO WWTP typically employ secondary treatment processes, such as activated sludge or lagoon systems, to meet EPA effluent guidelines for BOD, TSS, and nutrients.
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