St. Croix, Hertel, WI
The St. Croix Indians of Wisconsin were faced with failing on-site wastewater systems and a wastewater infrastructure that was under-designed to handle peak flows. In 2005, construction began on a new wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system to replace the failing systems. The problems with the failing systems were the increased risk of nitrate loading and the adverse effects on community health and the environment. This project, which was funded by USDA Rural Development, was designated an Earth Day project for the State of Wisconsin. On Earth Day 2004, tribal representatives along with federal, state, and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking for the new community sewer system.
The St. Croix Indian community wanted to connect 81 residents, six apartments, and 11 commercial buildings to a centralized wastewater treatment and disposal system. Naturally Wallace Consulting (a Natural Systems Utilities strategic partner) designed a gravity sewer system with more than 30,000 feet of 8-inch gravity sewer and five raw sewage lift stations to collect the wastewater and carry it to a centralized treatment system. The wastewater will be treated using six subsurface flow constructed wetlands with patented technology, Force Bed Aeration™ and three single-pass sand filters for final polishing. Once the wastewater is treated it is discharged to a large wetland complex.
The ultimate benefit of this design is that it treats wastewater using an innovative technology that takes into account the unique features of this community. The community no longer has failed septic systems on Tribal land and has been able to develop with the knowledge that surrounding lakes and wetlands will be protected. Tribal Chairman David “Maabin” Merill stated, “We owe a huge thanks to the St. Croix People for recognizing the need to live in harmony with Mother Nature.”