Duck Lake in Crystal Township
Crystal Township Wastewater Treatment Plant
Within the first month of operation, 114 residents were connected to the new system
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The Duck Lake Sanitary Sewer System and Crystal Township Wastewater Treatment
Plant Improvements project received a 2005 Water Quality Award from the
Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners. The Award recognizes Wade Trim’s
design of an affordable wastewater treatment solution that will protect the area’s
natural groundwater conditions, and be easy to operate and maintain for years to come.
Failing household septic systems along Duck Lake’s shoreline were
significantly degrading water quality in the lake and groundwater aquifer.
With USDA Rural Development funding, the Montcalm County Drain
Commissioner undertook a $2.4 million project to develop a new sanitary sewer
collection system for 181 households that ties into Crystal Township’s
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Wade Trim provided design services for the new
sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant improvements as well as
assistance with funding and permit negotiations.
To accommodate the new system, the plant was improved to allow the existing slow
rate land application treatment system to double its hydraulic operating capacity
to 47 million gallons per year (MGY) while maintaining treatment efficiency through
soil and crop nutrient uptake. The Crystal Township Wastewater Treatment Plant is
the first facility in Michigan to use a combined discharge of groundwater infiltration
and subsurface drainage tile that was designed in full compliance with both groundwater
and surface water discharge standards. Additional highlights include a complex expansion
of the irrigation system to dispose of the increased volume of wastewater. Subsurface
drainage was also designed to increase the system’s hydraulic capacity and balance the
system’s infiltration rate and nutrient uptake/adsorptive conditions.
This project demonstrates a viable wastewater treatment solution for small
communities with limited infrastructure. By sharing and expanding nearby existing
resources, Duck Lake residents realized a cost-effective solution that may not
have been possible on their own. Duck Lake’s natural groundwater conditions are
protected and effluent is being beneficially reused.
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