Kenmare Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kenmare, North Dakota

Kenmare Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in Kenmare, North Dakota, serving a population of approximately 1,096 residents. The plant operates as a lagoon system providing secondary treatment, which is typical for small communities in the region. Its designed capacity is 454.25 units, with an average daily discharge volume of 416.40 units, indicating near-capacity operation. As a secondary treatment facility, Kenmare Lagoon meets the standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment. The plant is regulated by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, which issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to ensure compliance with water quality standards. For a community of this size, lagoon systems are a common and cost-effective treatment approach. The treated effluent from Kenmare Lagoon is discharged into local waterways that eventually drain into the Souris River basin. The Souris River flows north into Canada, ultimately reaching Hudson Bay. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and wildlife. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this sensitive prairie ecosystem.

Kenmare Lagoon discharges into the Souris River basin, which flows northward through North Dakota into Manitoba, Canada, and eventually into Hudson Bay. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive prairie region.