Overview
Western Racine Co SD STP serves Rochester, Wisconsin, treating wastewater for approximately 11,790 residents. The plant operates under US EPA NPDES regulations, ensuring compliance with Clean Water Act standards.
Western Racine Co SD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Rochester, Wisconsin, within Racine County. The plant serves a population of about 11,790 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under US regulatory frameworks. As a US-based facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Clean Water Act requires secondary treatment for municipal plants of this scale, with effluent limits designed to protect receiving water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Fox River and then Lake Michigan. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides recreational and drinking water resources for downstream communities.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent flows into tributaries of the Fox River, which empties into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Michigan is a critical freshwater resource supporting fisheries, drinking water, and recreation. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with seasonal variations in flow and temperature that affect aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Wade Street in Rochester, Racine County, Wisconsin, United States.
The plant serves approximately 11,790 people in the Rochester area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Fox River and ultimately Lake Michigan.
As a US municipal plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program, enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, requiring secondary treatment and effluent limits.
Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, with disinfection, to meet NPDES permit limits.
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