Birney N Cheyenne Indian Reservation Wastewater Treatment Plant, Birney, Montana

The Birney N Cheyenne Indian Reservation wastewater treatment plant is located in Birney, Montana, within the Cheyenne Indian Reservation. This facility serves a small community of 65 people, reflecting its role in a rural, remote area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological treatment process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. As a small-scale facility in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all wastewater discharges. The plant's design capacity of 37.85 megaliters per year and actual discharge of 26.50 megaliters per year indicate it operates below capacity. The treatment process meets the secondary treatment standards mandated by the EPA for municipal plants. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Tongue River and then the Yellowstone River, a major tributary of the Missouri River. The surrounding area is semi-arid and ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse wildlife and riparian habitats. The plant's operation helps protect water quality in this rural region, which is important for both ecological health and downstream communities.

The plant discharges into the Tongue River watershed, which flows into the Yellowstone River and eventually the Missouri River. This region is part of the Northern Great Plains, characterized by semi-arid climate and sensitive riparian ecosystems. The treated effluent supports aquatic life and downstream water quality in a sparsely populated area where natural water resources are limited.