Overview
Buffalo WWTP serves 4,585 residents in Buffalo, Wyoming, treating municipal wastewater under U.S. EPA and state regulations. The plant discharges into the local watershed, contributing to the Powder River Basin.
Buffalo WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Buffalo, Johnson County, Wyoming. Serving a population of approximately 4,585, the plant is part of the town's essential infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater. Its location in the semi-arid High Plains region influences operational considerations, particularly regarding water conservation and effluent quality. As a U.S. facility, Buffalo WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, administered by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum standard, with possible nutrient removal depending on local discharge requirements. The treatment process ensures that effluent meets state and federal water quality standards before release. The plant's treated effluent enters the local watershed, which drains into the Powder River system. This river ultimately flows into the Yellowstone River and then the Missouri-Mississippi River system, reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The Powder River Basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region.
Environmental context
Buffalo WWTP discharges into the Powder River watershed, part of the larger Missouri River basin. The receiving waters support a variety of fish species and provide habitat for migratory birds. The semi-arid climate means stream flows can be highly variable, making consistent effluent quality important for maintaining aquatic health downstream.
Frequently asked questions
Buffalo WWTP is located on North Main Street in Buffalo, Johnson County, Wyoming, United States.
The plant serves approximately 4,585 residents of Buffalo, Wyoming.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which drains into the Powder River system, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
As a U.S. facility, Buffalo WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, with permits issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Plants of this size typically require secondary treatment and may have additional nutrient limits.
For a population of around 4,500, U.S. plants commonly use secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or lagoons, with disinfection before discharge. Effluent standards are set by the state under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
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