Ashley Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ashley, North Dakota

Ashley Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Ashley, North Dakota, serving a small population of 749 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater to protect water quality. The plant has a designed capacity of 567.81 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 340.69 cubic meters, indicating it operates below its full capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it utilizes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters, which eventually drain into the Missouri River basin. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for agriculture and recreation. Proper wastewater treatment helps maintain water quality in downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Missouri River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, and the plant's treatment helps protect downstream water quality from nutrient pollution and pathogens.