Overview
Fort Collins Mulberry WW Facility serves approximately 20,000 people in Fort Collins, Colorado. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Cache La Poudre River, a tributary of the South Platte River.
The Fort Collins Mulberry WW Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Fort Collins, Colorado, along the Cache La Poudre River. It serves a population of about 20,000 residents in the surrounding area. The plant is situated within the Homestead Natural Area, reflecting its integration with local green spaces. As a facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, with potential nutrient removal to protect downstream water quality. The plant discharges into the Cache La Poudre River, which flows into the South Platte River, a major tributary of the Platte River system. This waterway supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and municipal use downstream. The plant's operations are critical for maintaining the ecological health of the Cache La Poudre watershed.
Environmental context
The Cache La Poudre River flows from the Rocky Mountains through Fort Collins and joins the South Platte River, which ultimately drains into the Platte River and then the Missouri River system. This watershed supports a variety of fish species, including trout, and provides habitat for riparian wildlife. The plant's discharge contributes to the river's flow, especially during dry periods, and must meet water quality standards to protect aquatic life and downstream uses.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, within the Homestead Natural Area along Riverside Avenue. It serves the local community in Larimer County.
The plant serves approximately 20,000 residents in the Fort Collins area, making it a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Cache La Poudre River, which flows into the South Platte River system. Discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act via an NPDES permit.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality.
Plants of this size in Colorado typically employ secondary treatment, often with nutrient removal to protect sensitive mountain streams. Advanced treatment may be required for phosphorus reduction.
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