DINOSAUR WWTP - Dolores, Colorado Wastewater Treatment Plant

DINOSAUR WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Dolores, Montezuma County, Colorado. The plant serves a small population of 320 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. As a small-scale facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The plant has a designed capacity of 378.54 cubic meters per day and currently discharges an average volume of 75.71 cubic meters per day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. The treatment process is secondary, which typically involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. This level of treatment is standard for small communities and meets the minimum federal requirements for wastewater discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into the Dolores River, which flows through southwestern Colorado and eventually joins the Colorado River. The Colorado River basin is a critical water resource for the arid southwestern United States, supporting agriculture, municipal water supplies, and diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's discharge contributes to the river's flow, and its secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality.

The Dolores River is a tributary of the Colorado River, flowing through the Colorado Plateau region. The river supports a variety of aquatic life, including native fish species such as the flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. Downstream, the Colorado River system is a vital water source for millions of people and irrigates vast agricultural areas. The plant's discharge, treated to secondary standards, helps maintain the ecological health of the Dolores River and its downstream environments.