ELMO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Elmo, Utah | United States

ELMO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Elmo, Emery County, Utah, United States. It serves a small population of 418 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated at 233 East Main Street and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The facility provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States. It has a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters per year and currently treats approximately 151.42 megaliters annually, indicating operational headroom. The plant's discharge volume and treatment level are consistent with state and federal requirements for protecting water quality in Utah's arid environment. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Colorado River Basin, a critical water resource for the southwestern United States. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding downstream ecosystems, including the Colorado River and its tributaries, which support diverse aquatic life and provide water for agriculture, recreation, and communities.

The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the San Rafael River, which flows into the Green River and then the Colorado River. This basin is ecologically sensitive, supporting species such as the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. The arid climate makes water quality management crucial for maintaining habitat and downstream water uses.