Overview
WAUSAU WWTP serves approximately 41,388 people in Wausau, Wisconsin. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES permitting framework.
WAUSAU WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Memorial Park Road in Wausau, Wisconsin. The plant serves an estimated population of 41,388, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for US inland facilities. As a US-based plant, WAUSAU WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. For a facility serving this population, secondary treatment is the minimum standard, with potential additional nutrient removal requirements depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the Wisconsin River basin, which flows southward through central Wisconsin and eventually joins the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien. The Wisconsin River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important recreational and ecological corridor in the region.
Environmental context
WAUSAU WWTP discharges into the Wisconsin River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Wisconsin River watershed supports a variety of fish species, including walleye and smallmouth bass, and provides habitat for migratory waterfowl. The river's flow regime and water quality are influenced by upstream dams and agricultural runoff, making nutrient management a key concern for downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
WAUSAU WWTP is located on Memorial Park Road in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States.
WAUSAU WWTP serves approximately 41,388 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal treatment facility.
WAUSAU WWTP discharges treated effluent into the Wisconsin River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.
WAUSAU WWTP operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which sets effluent limits for pollutants.
For a plant serving around 41,000 people, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. Many such facilities also incorporate nutrient removal to protect downstream water quality.
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