Gilby Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant - Gilby, North Dakota

Gilby Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Gilby, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. The plant serves a small population of 237 residents, providing essential wastewater management for this rural community. Its location in the Red River Valley places it within a region characterized by flat terrain and agricultural land use. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities of this scale. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity matches its current discharge volume of 75.71 units, indicating it operates at full capacity. As a US facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. The treated effluent from Gilby Lagoon ultimately drains into the Red River Basin, which flows north into Canada and empties into Lake Winnipeg. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for waterfowl. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall water quality of the Red River system, making proper treatment essential for downstream ecosystems.

Gilby Lagoon discharges into the Red River Basin, which flows northward through North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, before reaching Lake Winnipeg. The Red River is a slow-moving, meandering river that supports a variety of fish species and provides critical habitat for migratory birds along the Central Flyway. The watershed is predominantly agricultural, so nutrient management from wastewater is important to prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies.