Overview
La Barge Lagoon serves the town of La Barge, Wyoming, treating wastewater for approximately 551 residents. The facility operates under U.S. EPA and state regulations for small communities.
La Barge Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in La Barge, Lincoln County, Wyoming, along US 189. It serves a small population of around 551 residents, typical of rural communities in the western United States. The plant uses lagoon-based treatment, a common method for small agglomerations due to its low operational complexity and cost-effectiveness. As a small municipal facility in the United States, La Barge Lagoon operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for any discharge to surface waters. For lagoon systems, treatment typically involves stabilization ponds that provide secondary treatment through natural biological processes, meeting EPA standards for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The treated effluent from La Barge Lagoon likely discharges to a nearby watercourse within the Green River Basin, which ultimately flows into the Colorado River system. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical water source for arid southwestern states. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and habitat.
Environmental context
La Barge Lagoon discharges into a tributary of the Green River, which flows into the Colorado River system. The Colorado River Basin is a vital water source for millions of people and supports diverse ecosystems, including endangered fish species. The facility's location in a semi-arid region makes water quality management crucial for maintaining downstream ecological health and agricultural uses.
Frequently asked questions
La Barge Lagoon is located on US 189 in La Barge, Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States.
The facility serves approximately 551 residents, typical of a small rural community in Wyoming.
The plant uses lagoon-based treatment, which involves stabilization ponds that provide secondary treatment through natural biological processes. This method is common for small communities due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
The treated effluent discharges into a tributary of the Green River, which flows into the Colorado River system. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this critical basin.
As a U.S. facility, La Barge Lagoon operates under the Clean Water Act and must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality or the EPA. These permits set limits on pollutants to protect receiving waters.
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