Carpio Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant | Carpio, North Dakota

Carpio Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Carpio, North Dakota, United States. It serves a small population of 157 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated along US 52 in Ward County, providing essential sanitation services to the local community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 37.85 million gallons per day and a discharge volume of 34.07 million gallons per day, the plant operates efficiently within its capacity. As a small facility, it is subject to EPA NPDES permitting, which sets discharge limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Carpio Lagoon is discharged into nearby surface waters, which eventually drain into the Souris River basin and ultimately into Hudson Bay. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water resources and supporting the ecological health of the region's aquatic habitats.

Carpio Lagoon discharges into local streams that are part of the Souris River watershed, which flows north into Canada and eventually into Hudson Bay. The surrounding area is characterized by prairie pothole wetlands, which support diverse bird populations and migratory waterfowl. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pathogen loads, protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and maintaining water quality for wildlife and recreational use.