Pelican Rapids WWTP - Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

Pelican Rapids WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, serving a population of about 2,500. The plant is situated in Otter Tail County, an inland area with numerous lakes and rivers, and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act. As a small agglomeration, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment as a minimum standard under the Clean Water Act. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, govern discharge limits to protect water quality. Plants of this scale typically employ biological treatment followed by disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that drains into the Otter Tail River, part of the Red River Basin, which flows north into Canada and ultimately into Lake Winnipeg. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and recreation.

The plant's discharge enters a local stream that feeds into the Otter Tail River, a tributary of the Red River. The Red River flows northward through Minnesota and North Dakota into Manitoba, Canada, emptying into Lake Winnipeg. This watershed is ecologically significant, supporting fish species such as walleye and northern pike, and providing habitat for migratory waterfowl. The region's numerous lakes and wetlands contribute to water quality and flood regulation.