Pembina Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Pembina County, North Dakota

Pembina Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in Pembina County, North Dakota, United States. The plant serves a small population of 592 residents and operates as a lagoon system providing secondary treatment. It is situated inland, far from coastal waters, and discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed. The plant's designed capacity is 189.27 megaliters per year, with an annual discharge volume matching that figure. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, governs the plant's discharge limits and monitoring requirements. The treated effluent from Pembina Lagoon enters the Red River Basin, which ultimately drains into Lake Winnipeg in Canada. The plant's discharge contributes to the water quality of the Red River, a vital waterway for agriculture and ecosystems in the region. Protecting downstream water bodies is essential for maintaining aquatic habitats and supporting local communities.

Pembina Lagoon discharges into the Red River Basin, which flows northward into Lake Winnipeg. The Red River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in Lake Winnipeg, a large lake sensitive to algal blooms.