MINNEWAUKAN LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, Benson County, North Dakota

MINNEWAUKAN LAGOON is a wastewater treatment facility located in Benson County, North Dakota, serving a small population of 224 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids from wastewater. The plant has a designed capacity of 227.12 megaliters and discharges approximately 151.42 megaliters annually. As a facility in the United States, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the state of North Dakota. For small communities like this, lagoon systems are common due to their low operational costs and effectiveness in rural settings. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Missouri River watershed. This region is part of the Northern Great Plains, where water resources are critical for agriculture and wildlife. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality and supports the ecological health of the Missouri River basin.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Missouri River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides habitat for migratory birds. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management important for maintaining ecosystem balance and supporting agricultural uses downstream.