Wastewater Treatment Plant

The upgrades to the Ludington Wastewater Treatment Plant that were started in the spring of 2019 and completed in 2021 changed the method of treatment from the aerated lagoon system that was in place since 1975.  The upgrades included the addition of blowers, a headworks/screening system, as well as the conversion of one of the old treatment ponds into five smaller ponds or cells, (equalization, 2 treatment, and 2 sludge storage). The addition of a chlorine contact tank, and emergency power generator were also part of the project.

The new treatment method is known as activated sludge operating in the extended air mode.   Wastewater is pumped to the Treatment Plant through a 20 inch dia. force main into the new headworks building, where it is screened and the screenings are captured in a dumpster that is taken to a landfill.  The wastewater also has much of the “grit” or sand removed from it in this building as well.   After leaving the headworks building, the wastewater travels to either the equalization cell (in times of high flow) or one of the two treatment cells.  In times of lower flows, the wastewater is pumped from the equalization cell into the treatment cells.  After leaving the treatment cells, the partially treated wastewater enters one of two circular clarifiers.  There, floating material is removed, and the settled solids are re-introduced to the Plant’s incoming waste stream.  Periodically, some of the settled solids are “wasted” to the sludge storage ponds.   The stored “sludge” or “biosolids” are currently applied to local farmland as a soil conditioner.  After leaving the clarifiers, the treated wastewater is sent to the chlorine contact tank where chlorine gas is applied to the water for disinfection.  The fully treated wastewater is then sent to the Pere Marquette river.  The Treatment Plant currently operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week.


Collection System

The Plants collection system collects wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries and includes 65 miles of sanitary sewer, 11 lift stations operated by the City of Ludington and 7 operated by other municipalities.


Communities Served

The Ludington Wastewater Plant services the following:

  • Amber Township
  • City of Ludington
  • City of Scottville
  • Pere Marquette Charter Township
  • West Shore Community College located in Victory Township

The Plant treats approximately 2.5 million gallons of sewage each day.


For additional information, please contact Mr. Chris Cossette at 231-843-3190.


Industrial Pre-Treatment Program

Wastewater Survey for Non-Residential Users