Montpelier Sew Trt Fac - Bear Lake County, Idaho Wastewater Treatment Plant

Montpelier Sew Trt Fac is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bear Lake County, Idaho, United States. It serves a population of approximately 2,597 residents, classifying it as a small community facility. The plant is situated in a rural area near the Bear Lake region, which is part of the larger Bear River watershed. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 1,892.70 megaliters and an actual discharge volume of 946.35 megaliters, the plant operates at roughly half its capacity. As a US facility, it is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into Bear Lake, a natural freshwater lake straddling the Idaho-Utah border. Bear Lake is known for its unique turquoise color and supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including endemic fish species. The plant's operations are critical for maintaining the lake's water quality and ecological health.

The plant discharges into the Bear River basin, which flows into Bear Lake, a large natural lake known for its unique turquoise color and high water quality. Bear Lake supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including endemic fish species such as the Bonneville cutthroat trout. Downstream, the Bear River continues to the Great Salt Lake, an important migratory stopover for birds. Protecting this watershed is essential for regional biodiversity and recreational uses.