Opal Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lincoln County, Wyoming

Opal Lagoon is a wastewater treatment facility located in Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States. It serves a small community of 96 people, reflecting its role in a rural setting. The plant operates under secondary treatment, which is the standard level for small agglomerations in the US. The plant has a designed capacity of 37.85 volume units and currently discharges 34.07 volume units, indicating near-capacity operation. As a US facility, it is subject to the Clean Water Act and likely operates under an NPDES permit issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Opal Lagoon is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Colorado River Basin. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for downstream communities and agriculture. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and protect the receiving water body.

Opal Lagoon discharges into the local watershed within the Colorado River Basin, which flows through arid landscapes and supports critical habitats for fish and wildlife. The downstream environment includes the Green River and eventually the Colorado River, which is a vital water source for multiple states. The plant's secondary treatment helps mitigate nutrient and organic loading, preserving water quality in this sensitive basin.