New Salem Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, New Salem, North Dakota

New Salem Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in New Salem, Morton County, North Dakota. The plant serves a small population of around 946 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. As a lagoon-based system, it provides secondary treatment, which is typical for small agglomerations in the region. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. For facilities of this scale, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, ensuring that organic pollutants and suspended solids are reduced to acceptable levels before discharge. The plant's designed capacity is 340.69 volume units, with an average daily discharge of 264.98 volume units, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters that eventually drain into the Missouri River watershed. The Missouri River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation, recreation, and municipal use downstream. The plant's location inland, away from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact but still requires careful management to protect freshwater ecosystems.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Missouri River, a major waterway in the Great Plains region. The Missouri River supports a variety of fish species, including pallid sturgeon and paddlefish, and provides critical habitat for migratory birds. Downstream, the river joins the Mississippi River, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect these downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and organic loading.