Vaughn County Wands District Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vaughn, Montana

The Vaughn County Wands District wastewater treatment plant is located in Vaughn, Montana, a small community in Cascade County. The plant serves a population of 718 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale municipal facility in a rural setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. It has a designed capacity of 340.69 volume units and currently discharges 166.56 volume units, indicating it operates below its full capacity. As a US facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Missouri River basin, which ultimately drains to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's operation helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports the region's water quality goals.

The plant discharges into a local water body within the Missouri River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding area is semi-arid with agricultural land use, making water quality protection important for downstream ecosystems and irrigation uses. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, supporting the health of the receiving waters.