Courtenay Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Stutsman County, North Dakota

Courtenay Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in rural Stutsman County, North Dakota, along State Highway 9 near Courtenay Township. The plant serves a small population of 45 residents, reflecting its role in a sparsely populated agricultural region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 37.85 cubic meters per day, it operates at full capacity based on reported discharge volumes. As a small facility, it likely uses lagoon-based treatment processes common in rural areas. The treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters, contributing to the James River watershed, which flows south into the Missouri River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's operation helps protect local groundwater and surface water quality in this agriculturally intensive region.

The plant discharges into unnamed tributaries of the James River, which flows through the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. This area is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse waterfowl and aquatic life. The James River ultimately drains into the Missouri River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system, making downstream water quality important for the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.