Box Elder Lagoons Wastewater Treatment Plant, Box Elder, Montana

Box Elder Lagoons is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Box Elder, Hill County, Montana, United States. The plant serves a small population of 108 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a lagoon-based system, it provides secondary treatment, which is typical for small agglomerations in the region. The plant has a designed capacity of 75.71 million gallons per year and currently discharges 71.92 million gallons annually, indicating near-capacity operation. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such facilities are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Missouri River basin. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is an important resource for agriculture and recreation in the region. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in the Missouri River system.

The plant discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the larger Missouri River basin. The Missouri River flows through the Great Plains and eventually joins the Mississippi River, supporting a variety of fish species and migratory birds. The area is semi-arid, making water quality management critical for both ecological health and human use.