Overview
Alberton Lagoons is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving the small community of Alberton, Montana, USA. It discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, supporting downstream water quality in the Clark Fork River basin.
Alberton Lagoons is a wastewater treatment facility located in Alberton, Montana, a small town in Mineral County. The plant serves a population of approximately 431 residents, providing secondary treatment to manage municipal wastewater. As a lagoon-based system, it relies on natural biological processes to treat sewage before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 174.13 thousand cubic meters per year and an actual discharge volume of 132.49 thousand cubic meters per year, the facility operates below its design capacity. The regulatory framework ensures that effluent meets state and federal water quality standards to protect public health and the environment. Treated effluent from Alberton Lagoons is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Clark Fork River. The Clark Fork River is a major tributary of the Columbia River system, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation and recreation. The plant's location inland and away from coastal areas reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall health of the river basin.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Clark Fork River basin, a significant watershed in western Montana that flows into the Columbia River and eventually the Pacific Ocean. The Clark Fork River supports a variety of fish species, including trout and salmon, and is an important ecological corridor. The surrounding area is characterized by mountainous terrain and forested landscapes, with the river providing critical habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for communities.
Frequently asked questions
Alberton Lagoons is located at 201 Parkway Drive, Alberton, Montana, United States, in Mineral County.
The plant serves a population of approximately 431 residents in the Alberton area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which drains into the Clark Fork River, a major tributary of the Columbia River system.
Alberton Lagoons provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment plants.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
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