Overview
Northern Gila County SD Payson is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 15,000 people in Gila County, Arizona. It operates under the US Clean Water Act framework.
Northern Gila County SD Payson is a wastewater treatment plant located on Crackerjack Road in Gila County, Arizona, serving an estimated population of 15,000. The plant is situated in a semi-arid region at the edge of the Tonto National Forest, providing essential sanitation services to the Payson area. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges to a local watercourse within the Salt River watershed, which ultimately flows into the Gila River and then the Colorado River. This region supports diverse desert riparian ecosystems and is important for downstream water users in central Arizona.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Salt River watershed, part of the larger Gila River basin that drains into the Colorado River. This arid region relies on limited surface water, making treated effluent a critical resource for maintaining base flows and supporting riparian habitats. Downstream ecosystems include desert wetlands and habitats for species such as the southwestern willow flycatcher.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Crackerjack Road in Gila County, Arizona, near the town of Payson in the Tonto National Forest region.
The plant serves approximately 15,000 people in the Payson area of Gila County.
The plant likely discharges treated effluent to a local watercourse within the Salt River watershed, which flows into the Gila River and ultimately the Colorado River.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Plants of this size typically require secondary treatment under the Clean Water Act, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems to meet effluent limits.
Nearby plants