Oglala Sioux Tribe Wastewater Treatment Facility

Environmental Assessment

The Oglala Sioux Tribe proposed construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) composed of an integrated deep pond lagoon with fermentation pits, secondary holding ponds and a tertiary wetland treatment system for the Pine Ridge community on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota.

MATRIX prepared the Environmental Assessment in accordance with the requirements of Indian Health Service. Several alternatives were considered, including renovation of existing lagoon, mechanical treatment, and a conventional lagoon.  The preferred alternative was an integrated deep pond lagoon with wetland treatment.  Special environmental factors included flooding,  protection of the surface water (White Clay Creek), the groundwater, and NPDES and bio solids permit requirements.    

MATRIX  and Indian Health Service facilitated a community information meeting to discuss the project and receive comment.  A Finding of No Significant Impact was signed by IHS and construction was completed in 2008.