Crawford Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Delta County, Colorado

Crawford Lagoon is a small wastewater treatment facility located in Delta County, Colorado, United States. It serves a population of approximately 250 residents, reflecting its role as a rural community system. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges to protect water quality. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. Its designed capacity is 75.71 megaliters per year, matching the reported discharge volume. As a small facility, it is subject to state-level National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that set effluent limits and monitoring requirements. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Gunnison River and ultimately the Colorado River system. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for downstream water users, including agriculture and recreation. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this semi-arid environment.

The treated wastewater from Crawford Lagoon enters local streams that flow into the Gunnison River, a major tributary of the Colorado River. The Colorado River basin supports critical habitat for native fish species and provides water for millions of people across the southwestern United States. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting downstream ecosystems in this sensitive arid region.