Overview
Fergus Falls STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 12,400 residents in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, USA. It operates under the US Clean Water Act framework.
Fergus Falls STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The plant serves a population of about 12,400, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category typical of rural Minnesota communities. As a US-based plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which is part of the Red River of the North basin. The receiving waters ultimately flow north into Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. The region's cold winters and agricultural land use influence both treatment operations and downstream water quality considerations.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the Otter Tail River watershed, a tributary of the Red River of the North. This river system flows northward through the Red River Valley into Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for waterfowl. Agricultural runoff in the region can contribute nutrient loads, making effective wastewater treatment critical for protecting downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Fergus Falls STP is located at 298 South Kennedy Park Road in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA.
The plant serves approximately 12,400 residents in the Fergus Falls area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Otter Tail River watershed, which is part of the Red River of the North basin, ultimately flowing into Lake Winnipeg.
As a US wastewater facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, typically administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
For small-to-medium agglomerations in Minnesota, secondary treatment is the standard requirement under the Clean Water Act, often involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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