ST MARIE NO VALLEY CO WandS DIST Wastewater Treatment Plant, Valley County, Montana

ST MARIE NO VALLEY CO WandS DIST is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Valley County, Montana, United States. The facility serves a small population of 150 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters, the facility treats an annual discharge volume of 56.78 megaliters. This indicates that the plant operates well below its capacity, which is typical for small systems serving seasonal or stable populations. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Missouri River basin, part of the larger Mississippi River watershed. The plant's location in the semi-arid northern plains means that maintaining water quality in receiving streams is important for downstream ecosystems, including agricultural and wildlife habitats.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Missouri River system, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports mixed-grass prairie and riparian habitats, providing critical corridors for migratory birds and aquatic species. Protecting water quality in this region helps sustain downstream fisheries and irrigation supplies.