Stanton Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Stanton, North Dakota

Stanton Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in Stanton, Mercer County, North Dakota. It serves a small population of 366 residents, reflecting its role as a local municipal treatment system in a rural setting. The plant is situated along State Highway 31, providing essential sanitation services to the community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 113.56 megaliters per year and a discharge volume matching that figure, the facility appears to operate at full capacity. As a small agglomeration, it meets the regulatory expectations for secondary treatment under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Missouri River basin. The plant's location within 50 kilometers of the coast indicates it is inland, contributing to the protection of downstream aquatic ecosystems. The facility plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the region's surface waters.

Stanton Lagoon discharges into the Missouri River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollutant loads, supporting the ecological health of downstream rivers and lakes. The region's semi-arid climate and agricultural land use make effective wastewater treatment important for maintaining water quality in local streams and groundwater.