Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City of Jackson Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was originally constructed in 1937 and has received numerous upgrades since that time. While some of the facilities and processes are still original, the entire process and all the assets are continuously monitored and assessed to determine when improvements and upgrades may be necessary to allow for the best possible treatment of the wastewater.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Customers

The Jackson Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the City of Jackson, as well as parts of the following surrounding townships:

• Blackman Township
• Napoleon Township
• Spring Arbor / Sandstone Townships
• Summit Township
• Rives Junction
• State Prison of Southern Michigan

Treatment Process

The wastewater treatment plant treatment process is called activated sludge and has the capacity to treat 19 million gallons of wastewater per day. Currently, the plant receives an average of 11 million gallons per day. The treatment process removes pollutants from the wastewater received according to a permit issued by the State of Michigan, and the clean water is then discharged to the Grand River.

As part of the treatment process, the plant produces biosolids. The biosolids are treated and recycled as soil amendments and fertilizer that can be applied to farm fields, or it can be disposed of at a landfill. Approximately 4 million gallons of liquid biosolids and about 2,000 cubic yards of dry biosolids are produced and land applied annually.

Laboratory Personnel

The WWTP laboratory personnel, as well as several contract laboratories, perform a myriad of biological and chemical tests on the influent (the incoming wastewater), the various treatment processes throughout the plant, and on the effluent (the plant discharge water). This provides data and information about the process activity and whether any process adjustments are necessary.  Our laboratory personnel also monitor and sample the influent flow from area industries as well as our township wastewater customers.

Industrial Pretreatment Program

Our Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) staff monitor, inspect and collect wastewater samples from many of the non-domestic facilities that discharge wastewater to the city wastewater treatment plant so as to ensure the wastewater entering the system is in compliance with the City’s sewer use ordinance. 

Operation, Maintenance & Sludge Personnel

Our 13 operations, maintenance and sludge personnel are essential to the operation and maintenance of 16 buildings, 62 process tanks, and 9 city sewage lift stations on almost 95 acres of property to ensure the process remains effective in treating the wastewater that is received. The property and buildings contain numerous pieces of machinery, pumps, piping, plumbing, electrical, and controls equipment. The dedication of each staff member make all the difference in our ability to maintain an efficient operation that is charged with protecting our local environment through the treatment process.

Additional Information

If you have questions, or are interested in a tour of the City of Jackson’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, please contact at 517-788-4075.