WAUKEGAN STP NORTH SHORE SD, Waukegan

Overview

WAUKEGAN STP NORTH SHORE SD serves approximately 126,629 people in Waukegan, Illinois. The plant discharges treated wastewater into Lake Michigan, a vital freshwater resource.

WAUKEGAN STP NORTH SHORE SD is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Waukegan, Illinois, serving a population of around 126,629. The facility is part of the North Shore Sanitary District and plays a key role in managing wastewater for the northern Chicago suburbs. As a large agglomeration serving over 100,000 people, the plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in million gallons per day), indicating a substantial facility. Typical plants of this scale employ activated sludge or similar biological treatment. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into Lake Michigan, which is part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Michigan provides drinking water for millions and supports diverse aquatic life. The plant's operations are critical for protecting water quality in this ecologically sensitive freshwater lake.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into Lake Michigan, the second-largest Great Lake by volume. Lake Michigan drains through the Straits of Mackinac into Lake Huron and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. The lake supports a complex ecosystem including lake trout, whitefish, and migratory birds. Protecting water quality is essential due to the lake's role as a drinking water source and its ecological sensitivity to nutrient pollution.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located on Dahringer Road in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, United States.

The plant serves approximately 126,629 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under regulatory frameworks.

The plant discharges treated effluent into Lake Michigan, which is part of the Great Lakes system.

The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. Permits are issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Plants of this scale typically use secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge, with possible nutrient removal to meet Great Lakes water quality standards.