Edgemont Ranch MD Wastewater Treatment Plant, La Plata County, Colorado

Edgemont Ranch MD is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The facility serves a small population of 725 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. As a small-scale plant in a rural mountainous region, it plays a key role in protecting local water resources. The plant operates with a designed capacity of 1514.16 units and currently discharges 75.71 units of treated effluent. Secondary treatment is standard for plants of this size under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires removal of biodegradable organics and suspended solids. The plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, ensuring compliance with discharge limits. The treated wastewater is discharged into a local waterway that drains into the Colorado River Basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of California. The surrounding area features diverse ecosystems, including riparian habitats and high desert landscapes, which benefit from the plant's pollution control efforts. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality for downstream communities and wildlife.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Colorado River Basin, which flows through the arid Southwest and supports irrigated agriculture, recreation, and endangered fish species. The downstream environment includes the Colorado River and its delta in Mexico, a critical habitat for migratory birds. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient loading and protect these sensitive arid-land ecosystems.