Chaparral Wastewater Treatment Plant, New Mexico | Secondary Treatment Facility

The Chaparral wastewater treatment plant is located in Chaparral, New Mexico, United States, serving a population of 1,463. The facility provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities under the U.S. Clean Water Act. With a designed capacity of 302.83 cubic meters per day and a similar discharge volume, the plant operates at full capacity. As a U.S. facility, it is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways that eventually drain into the Rio Grande basin. The Rio Grande supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and communities in the arid Southwest. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant's treated effluent flows into the Rio Grande watershed, a vital water source in the Chihuahuan Desert. The Rio Grande supports riparian habitats, migratory birds, and endangered species such as the Rio Grande silvery minnow. Downstream, the river feeds into the Gulf of Mexico, making nutrient management important for coastal water quality.