BLACKDUCK WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Beltrami County, Minnesota

BLACKDUCK WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. It serves a small community of 803 residents, providing essential sanitation services for the area. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal zones, and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size under US EPA guidelines. With a designed capacity of 582.95 volume units and a current discharge volume of 473.18, the facility operates within its capacity. As a publicly owned treatment works, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from BLACKDUCK WWTP is discharged into local surface waters, which ultimately drain into the Mississippi River Basin. This region is part of the Upper Mississippi River watershed, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing important habitat for migratory birds. The plant's operations help maintain the ecological health of downstream water bodies, including lakes and rivers in northern Minnesota.

BLACKDUCK WWTP discharges into local streams that flow into the Mississippi River Basin, a major drainage system that empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding area includes forested wetlands and lakes that support diverse aquatic species, including fish and waterfowl. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, protecting downstream ecosystems from eutrophication.