CUSTER WWTP - Wastewater Treatment in Custer County, South Dakota

CUSTER WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Custer County, South Dakota, serving a population of about 3,391. The plant is situated in the Black Hills region, an area known for its forested terrain and tourism. As a small-scale facility, it plays a key role in managing wastewater from the local community. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, wastewater treatment plants of this size are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant's treatment processes are designed to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge, ensuring compliance with state and federal water quality standards. The treated effluent from CUSTER WWTP is discharged into a local watercourse that flows into the Cheyenne River, a tributary of the Missouri River. The Missouri River basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture, recreation, and downstream communities. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically important region.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Cheyenne River, which eventually joins the Missouri River. The Missouri River basin is a major ecological corridor supporting fish species such as pallid sturgeon and paddlefish, as well as migratory birds. The Black Hills region contributes to the headwaters of several rivers, making local water quality crucial for downstream ecosystems.