Overview
Cortez Southwest WWTP serves approximately 8,600 residents in Cortez, Colorado. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act's NPDES program, ensuring treated effluent meets federal standards before discharge.
Cortez Southwest WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado. It serves an estimated population of 8,600 people within the city and surrounding area, operating as part of the region's essential water infrastructure. As a U.S. facility, the plant is regulated under the Clean Water Act through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. For a community of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant's design and operation must comply with state-issued permits that set effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other parameters. The treated wastewater is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Colorado River Basin. This basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and provides water for agriculture, recreation, and municipal use across the arid Southwest. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality in the Colorado River and its tributaries.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Colorado River Basin, which flows through the Colorado Plateau and into the Colorado River. This arid region relies heavily on the river system for water supply, and treated effluent contributes to base flow. The downstream environment supports species such as the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, making nutrient and pollutant control critical for ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Cortez Southwest WWTP is located in Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado, United States.
The plant serves approximately 8,600 people in the Cortez area.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that flows into the Colorado River Basin, supporting downstream water supply and ecosystems.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act via an NPDES permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which sets effluent limits for pollutants.
For a community of this size, secondary treatment is standard, often including biological processes like activated sludge or trickling filters, with possible nutrient removal if the receiving water is sensitive.
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