Lake Bellaire and the Bellaire Wastewater Treatment Plant

Abstract

A brief review of Bellaire's history reveals the strong desire to maintain the high quality of Lake Bellaire. In 1971 a direct surface water discharge to Lake Bellaire was not permitted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Nutrient inputs improperly discharged through a poorly designed wetland treatment system in 1976 and 1981 caused growths of nuisance algae in Lake Bellaire and resulted in a considerable uproar from local citizens and the Three Lakes Association.