Overview
Las Animas City of WWTP serves approximately 4,300 residents in Bent County, Colorado. The plant operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations for municipal wastewater treatment.
Las Animas City of WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bent County, Colorado, serving a population of about 4,301. The plant is part of the regional infrastructure managing wastewater from the Las Animas area. As a small-to-medium agglomeration, it falls under U.S. EPA and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment oversight. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, municipal wastewater treatment plants of this scale are typically required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs discharge limits to protect water quality. The plant is expected to meet applicable effluent guidelines. The plant's treated effluent is discharged to a receiving water body within the Arkansas River basin. The Arkansas River flows through southeastern Colorado and eventually into the Mississippi River system, supporting agricultural, recreational, and ecological uses. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality in this semi-arid region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Arkansas River, which flows through the Great Plains and into the Mississippi River. The Arkansas River basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical water source for irrigation and municipal use in Colorado. Downstream ecosystems include riparian habitats and wetlands that benefit from maintained water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Bent County, Colorado, United States, serving the Las Animas area.
The plant serves approximately 4,301 residents, classifying it as a small-to-medium municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent to a receiving water body within the Arkansas River basin, which ultimately flows into the Mississippi River system.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge permits issued through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this size are generally required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with possible additional nutrient removal depending on local water quality standards.
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