Overview
Elephant Butte SP is a secondary treatment plant in Sierra County, New Mexico, serving about 2,000 people. It discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, supporting regional water quality.
Elephant Butte SP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Sierra County, New Mexico, within the United States. The facility serves a population of approximately 2,000 residents, operating as part of the region's water infrastructure in the arid Southwest. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size under the U.S. Clean Water Act. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is about 530 cubic meters per day, matching its discharge volume. Treated effluent from Elephant Butte SP is released into the local environment, likely contributing to the Rio Grande basin, which flows southward through New Mexico and Texas. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural water use, making proper treatment essential for downstream ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Rio Grande basin, a critical water source in the arid Southwest. The river flows through New Mexico and Texas, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports riparian habitats, migratory birds, and endangered species like the Rio Grande silvery minnow. Effective wastewater treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
Elephant Butte SP is located in Sierra County, New Mexico, United States, near Elephant Butte Cemetery on Armendariz Road.
The plant serves approximately 2,000 residents in the Elephant Butte area of Sierra County.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which drains into the Rio Grande basin, supporting downstream water uses.
Elephant Butte SP provides secondary treatment, which is the standard requirement under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal plants of this scale.
As a U.S. plant, Elephant Butte SP operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the New Mexico Environment Department.
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