Litchville Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Litchville, North Dakota

Litchville Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Litchville, North Dakota, a small community in Barnes County. The plant serves a population of 172 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. As a lagoon-based system, it provides secondary treatment, which is typical for small communities in the region. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all wastewater discharges. For small agglomerations like Litchville, secondary treatment is the standard requirement to protect water quality. The plant's designed capacity is 75.71 million gallons per year, matching its discharge volume, indicating full utilization of its treatment capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the James River basin, part of the larger Missouri River watershed. This region supports agricultural activities and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Proper treatment helps maintain the ecological health of these receiving waters, which are important for irrigation and recreation in the Great Plains.

The plant discharges into the James River basin, which flows into the Missouri River and eventually the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports agricultural land and provides habitat for migratory birds and fish species. Effective secondary treatment reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies.