Pinewood Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant, Coconino County, Arizona

Pinewood Sanitary District is a wastewater treatment facility located in Coconino County, Arizona, serving a population of approximately 10,000. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges into surface waters. As an advanced treatment plant, it provides a higher level of pollutant removal than secondary treatment, ensuring compliance with stringent water quality standards. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,271.24 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 832.79 cubic meters, indicating ample capacity for future growth. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal and disinfection, which are critical for protecting sensitive water bodies in arid regions like Arizona. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Colorado River Basin. This region supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and municipal uses downstream. The plant's advanced treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically important basin.

The plant discharges into the Colorado River Basin, which flows through the arid Southwest and supports critical habitats for native fish and wildlife. Downstream, the river feeds into Lake Mead and the Colorado River Delta, an ecologically sensitive area that sustains migratory birds and riparian vegetation. Advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient loading and protect these downstream ecosystems.