Ouray WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Ouray County, Colorado

Ouray WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Ouray County, Colorado, serving a population of about 2,932 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size in the United States, ensuring that effluent meets federal and state water quality standards before discharge. As a secondary treatment plant, Ouray WWTP utilizes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 757.08 thousand gallons per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 870.65 thousand gallons per day, indicating it operates near or slightly above its design capacity. This facility is regulated under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges into surface waters. The treated effluent from Ouray WWTP is discharged into the Uncompahgre River watershed, which flows through the San Juan Mountains and eventually joins the Gunnison River, a tributary of the Colorado River. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for downstream communities and agriculture. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting water quality in this high-altitude environment.

Ouray WWTP discharges into the Uncompahgre River, which flows into the Gunnison River and then the Colorado River, ultimately reaching the Gulf of California. The local watershed is in the Rocky Mountains, characterized by cold, clear streams that support trout and other sensitive species. The plant's secondary treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically important region.