Bowbells Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bowbells, North Dakota

Bowbells Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bowbells, Burke County, North Dakota. Serving a population of approximately 336 residents, this plant is designed to handle the community's domestic wastewater needs. As a small-scale facility, it plays a vital role in protecting public health and the local environment. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters per year and currently discharges about 151.42 megaliters annually, indicating it operates below its design capacity. The treated effluent from Bowbells Lagoon is discharged into nearby surface waters, which eventually drain into the Souris River basin. This river system flows north into Canada, ultimately reaching Hudson Bay. Proper treatment at this facility helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water quality in the transboundary watershed.

Bowbells Lagoon discharges into local streams that are part of the Souris River watershed. The Souris River flows northward through North Dakota into Manitoba, Canada, and eventually drains into Hudson Bay via the Nelson River system. This region supports diverse aquatic life and provides habitat for migratory waterfowl. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain the ecological health of this sensitive prairie river system.