Bairoil North Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bairoil, Wyoming

Bairoil North Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bairoil, Sweetwater County, Wyoming. It serves a small population of 74 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The facility provides secondary treatment, a standard level required for most municipal plants in the U.S. to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 34.07 units and a current discharge volume of 26.50 units, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treatment process involves lagoon-based systems typical of small communities in the arid West. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Great Divide Basin, an endorheic basin in Wyoming. This region is characterized by high desert climate and sensitive aquatic ecosystems. The plant's operations help protect local groundwater and surface water quality in this sparsely populated area.

The plant's discharge enters the Great Divide Basin, a closed drainage basin in south-central Wyoming that does not reach the ocean. This basin contains ephemeral streams and playa lakes that support migratory birds and adapted wildlife. The arid climate and low dilution capacity make water quality management critical for maintaining ecological balance in this sensitive watershed.