We love lagoons—they are the most reliable, low maintenance, cost-effective method of wastewater treatment, especially for small rural communities. The Environmental Protection Agency agrees: EPA is in the middle of a four-year initiative to classify and evaluate lagoon systems and support the communities that rely on them for wastewater treatment.
EPA's Lagoon Action Plan
The mission of the Lagoon Action Plan is to “Improve public health and clean waterway protections for small, rural, and tribal communities that rely on lagoon wastewater treatment systems through equitable, accessible, and coordinated technical and financial assistance.”
The Lagoon Action Plan has five areas of focus:
- Identify the Universe of Lagoon Systems
- Provide Financial and Technical Assistance
- Develop Cost and Performance Data for Alternative Technologies
- Create Regulatory Support Tools
- Foster Community Engagement and Partnerships
1. Identify the Universe of Lagoon Systems
EPA has created an inventory of municipal lagoon systems nationally, including community size, treatment type, and compliance information. Through this research, EPA has determined that there are over 4,500 discharging lagoon systems that have yet to upgrade with supplemental technology; this represents about 25 percent of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) in the U.S.
Here are some statistics from EPA’s Universe of Lagoon Systems:
- 84% of the inventoried lagoon systems serve a population of less than 3,000; the median population of communities served by a lagoon system is 793.
- 94% have flows of less than 1 million gallons per day (mgd); the median flow value is 0.12 mgd.
- 61% of these lagoon systems had at least one effluent exceedance between September 2018 and September 2021.
- Most of these lagoon systems have manpower challenges, with just a single full- or part-time operator who has other duties.
2. Provide Financial and Technical Assistance
Communities relying on lagoon systems for wastewater treatment often face economic disadvantages, with incomes below national averages and higher poverty rates. The smaller user base makes the prospect of replacing a lagoon system with an expensive mechanical plant unattractive, considering the capital expense and additional costs required to run it. Read our blog, The Hidden Costs of Replacing a Lagoon System with a Mechanical Plant, for details.
EPA has gathered technical and financial resources to assist communities in maintaining their lagoons and finding financing for upgrades.
3. Develop Cost and Performance Data for Alternative Technologies
Small lagoon communities often require additional technologies to meet ammonia and nutrient discharge limits. EPA is working to gather and evaluate data on alternative technologies—including our NitrOx® Lagoon Ammonia Removal technology—that can help these systems improve their performance. This research will assess the long-term performance and cost-effectiveness of these technologies. The data will be made available to communities to help them make informed decisions about lagoon upgrades.
4. Create Regulatory Support Tools
Regulatory options exist to help communities meet effluent requirements without undue economic burden. EPA is developing tools to streamline the process of evaluating a community’s financial capability and determining appropriate regulatory actions. These tools will help small communities engage with regulators and make informed decisions about compliance strategies.
5. Foster Community Engagement and Partnerships
Successful implementation of the Lagoon Action Plan requires active engagement with state and local governments, technical assistance providers, and nongovernmental organizations. EPA will develop outreach materials tailored to different audiences and use various communication channels—such as webinars, social media, and printed fact sheets—to raise awareness about available resources. The agency also plans to collaborate with organizations like the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) to ensure that small communities have access to the information and assistance they need.
EPA Supports Lagoon Systems
The Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Action Plan is a big step toward helping small, rural, and tribal communities deal with their wastewater issues. EPA is focusing on fair financial and technical help, finding low-cost solutions, and working with local partners. This plan will help these communities meet water safety rules while keeping people and the environment healthy. As it rolls out through 2026, it’s a major move toward clean and safe water management for the communities served by lagoon systems.
Triplepoint Is Here to Help
As always, we’re ready to help. Take advantage of Lagooniversity, a free online portal of lagoon-focused webinars on a variety of topics, many preapproved for CEU credit. We have dozens of short and long videos on our Lagoons Do It Better YouTube channel covering common lagoon challenges. If you have a general question or would like help with your lagoon system, please reach out via our contact form. Like EPA, we’re committed to preserving lagoon systems and helping communities meet their wastewater treatment requirements.
