Overview
Glenwood Springs Regional WWTP serves approximately 9,000 residents in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge to the Colorado River basin.
Glenwood Springs Regional WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, a city in Garfield County. The plant serves a population of about 9,000 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration in the context of U.S. wastewater infrastructure. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by an EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is the minimum standard, though many facilities in the region employ advanced treatment to protect sensitive mountain watersheds. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the Colorado River basin, which flows through the Rocky Mountains and eventually into the Gulf of California. The Colorado River is a critical water source for agriculture, municipalities, and ecosystems across the southwestern United States, making the plant's role in protecting water quality essential for downstream communities and habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Colorado River basin, a major watershed that drains the Rocky Mountains and flows through arid regions of the southwestern U.S. before reaching the Gulf of California. The river supports diverse aquatic life, including several native fish species, and provides water for millions of people. The plant's location in a mountainous region means it must meet stringent water quality standards to protect cold-water fisheries and recreational uses.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 406 8th Street in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, within Garfield County.
The plant serves approximately 9,000 residents in the Glenwood Springs area.
The plant discharges into the Colorado River basin, which flows through the Rocky Mountains and into the Gulf of California.
The plant operates under the Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit that sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality in the Colorado River.
Plants of this scale in Colorado typically use secondary treatment, often with additional nutrient removal to meet state water quality standards for sensitive mountain streams.
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