Durango Hills WRC, Las Vegas

Overview

Durango Hills WRC in Las Vegas, Nevada serves 100,000 people. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge to protect local water resources.

Durango Hills WRC is a wastewater treatment facility located in Las Vegas, Nevada, within the arid Mojave Desert region. Serving a population of 100,000, it is a medium-to-large agglomeration that plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the northwestern part of the Las Vegas Valley. Under the US Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are required to meet secondary treatment standards and obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in receiving water bodies, which in this arid region often include man-made channels or the Las Vegas Wash. The plant's treated effluent ultimately flows into the Las Vegas Wash, which drains into Lake Mead, a critical reservoir on the Colorado River. Lake Mead supports regional water supply, recreation, and aquatic habitat. Protecting this downstream environment is essential for maintaining water quality in the Colorado River Basin.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Las Vegas Wash, a natural drainage channel that carries urban runoff and treated wastewater to Lake Mead. Lake Mead, formed by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, is a vital water source for millions in the southwestern US. The wash and lake support diverse aquatic life, including fish and migratory birds, and are sensitive to nutrient loading and contaminants from urban runoff.

Frequently asked questions

Durango Hills WRC is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, near the Durango Hills Golf Club in the Lone Mountain area.

The plant serves approximately 100,000 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under US EPA guidelines.

Treated effluent from the plant flows into the Las Vegas Wash, which drains into Lake Mead on the Colorado River.

The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, with effluent limits to protect water quality.

Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum, with some employing advanced treatment to meet nutrient removal requirements in sensitive watersheds.