Penrose SD Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fremont County, Colorado

Penrose SD is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Fremont County, Colorado, serving a small population of 286 residents. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. As a small-scale plant, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The plant provides secondary treatment, a biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 79.49 units and an average discharge volume of 53.00 units, the facility operates below its maximum capacity, indicating adequate headroom for current demand. The treatment process aligns with typical standards for small communities in the region, focusing on protecting local water resources. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body within the Arkansas River basin, which ultimately drains into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a role in safeguarding the water quality of local streams and the downstream ecosystem, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses in the semi-arid Colorado landscape.

Penrose SD discharges into a tributary of the Arkansas River, which flows through the Great Plains before joining the Mississippi River and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is an important resource for irrigation and recreation in Fremont County. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting downstream water quality in a region where water resources are critical.