Douglas Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Douglas, North Dakota

Douglas Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Douglas, Ward County, North Dakota. It serves a small population of 64 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated near County Highway 24 and operates as a lagoon system, a common treatment approach for small communities in the region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 37.85 units and a discharge volume of 37.85 units, the facility operates at full capacity. As a small agglomeration, it is subject to state-level NPDES permitting administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, ultimately draining into the Missouri River watershed. The Missouri River system supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for irrigation, recreation, and downstream communities. The plant's location more than 10 km from the coast reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall water quality of the inland basin.

The plant discharges into a receiving water body within the Missouri River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This inland watershed supports agricultural irrigation, wildlife habitat, and recreational fishing. The region's semi-arid climate means that maintaining water quality in these surface waters is critical for local ecosystems and downstream users.