Overview
Estancia WWTP is a secondary treatment plant in Torrance County, New Mexico, serving a population of 1,655. It discharges 302.83 megaliters of treated wastewater annually.
Estancia WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Torrance County, New Mexico, United States. The plant serves a small community of approximately 1,655 residents, providing essential sanitation services for the rural area. The facility operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater plants. With a designed capacity of 340.69 megaliters per year and an actual discharge volume of 302.83 megaliters, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Rio Grande basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the arid region's water resources and supporting downstream ecosystems in the Rio Grande Valley.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Estancia Valley, a closed basin in central New Mexico. Treated wastewater from the facility contributes to local groundwater recharge and supports the fragile desert ecosystem. The region is part of the larger Rio Grande watershed, which provides critical habitat for migratory birds and native fish species.
Frequently asked questions
Estancia WWTP is located in Torrance County, New Mexico, United States, in the Estancia Valley region.
The plant serves a population of approximately 1,655 people in the rural community of Estancia and surrounding areas.
The plant uses secondary treatment to process wastewater, and the treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Rio Grande basin.
As a U.S. facility, Estancia WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the New Mexico Environment Department.
For small communities of this size, secondary treatment is the standard requirement under the Clean Water Act, ensuring adequate removal of organic matter and solids.
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