MILTON LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, Milton, North Dakota

MILTON LAGOON is a wastewater treatment facility located in Milton, Cavalier County, North Dakota, along State Highway 66. Serving a small population of 58, the plant is designed to handle the community's domestic wastewater needs. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 75.71 cubic meters per day and currently discharges approximately 37.85 cubic meters per day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. Under the US Clean Water Act, such facilities are regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's operation is subject to state and federal oversight. The treated effluent from MILTON LAGOON is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Red River of the North basin. This river system flows northward into Lake Winnipeg in Canada, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing important habitat for migratory birds. The plant's location in the Great Plains region means it plays a role in maintaining water quality in a semi-arid environment where water resources are critical for agriculture and ecosystems.

MILTON LAGOON discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the Red River of the North basin. This river flows north into Lake Winnipeg, a large lake that supports important fisheries and migratory bird populations. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, so the plant helps protect downstream water quality from nutrient pollution and pathogens, contributing to the ecological health of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.