Overview
Capitan Lagoons is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving 756 people in Capitan, New Mexico. It discharges 151.42 megaliters annually and operates under U.S. EPA and state regulations.
Capitan Lagoons is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located near Capitan Elementary School on US 380 in Capitan, Lincoln County, New Mexico. The plant serves a small population of 756 residents, typical of rural communities in the southwestern United States. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities of this scale. With a designed capacity of 378.54 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 151.42 megaliters, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating reserve capacity for future growth. Treatment occurs in lagoon systems, a common cost-effective approach for small communities in arid regions. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Rio Grande basin, a critical water resource for the region. The plant's operations are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, ensuring compliance with water quality standards to protect downstream ecosystems and water users.
Environmental context
Capitan Lagoons discharges into ephemeral streams that feed the Rio Hondo, a tributary of the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande is a vital water source for agriculture, municipalities, and wildlife in the arid Southwest, supporting species such as the Rio Grande silvery minnow. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting water quality in this water-stressed basin.
Frequently asked questions
Capitan Lagoons is located near Capitan Elementary School on US 380 in Capitan, Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States.
The plant serves a population of 756 residents, typical of a small rural community in New Mexico.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Rio Hondo and ultimately the Rio Grande basin.
As a U.S. municipal wastewater plant, Capitan Lagoons operates under the Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the New Mexico Environment Department or the U.S. EPA.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment using lagoon systems or package plants is common, as required by the Clean Water Act to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids.
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