Virginia City WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Madison County, Montana

Virginia City WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Madison County, Montana, United States. The plant serves a small population of approximately 120 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 124.92 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 56.78 million gallons per year, the facility operates well below its capacity. This suggests adequate headroom for current and future flows. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately drains into the Missouri River watershed, part of the larger Mississippi River basin. The plant's location in a mountainous region of Montana means the discharge enters cold, high-quality waters that support trout and other sensitive aquatic species. Proper treatment is essential to protect downstream water quality and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into a water body that flows into the Missouri River system, which eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed is characterized by mountainous terrain and cold-water streams that support native trout populations. Maintaining secondary treatment helps prevent nutrient enrichment and protects the ecological integrity of downstream waters.