Overview
Rawlins Lagoon serves Sinclair, Wyoming, treating wastewater for approximately 9,259 people. The plant operates under US EPA and Wyoming DEQ regulations for inland discharge.
Rawlins Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Sinclair, Carbon County, Wyoming. The plant serves a population of approximately 9,259 residents in the region, providing essential sanitation services for this inland community. As a lagoon-based system, the plant relies on natural biological processes for treatment. Under the US Clean Water Act, facilities of this scale typically require secondary treatment through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Lagoons are common in rural areas due to their cost-effectiveness and low energy requirements. The treated effluent from Rawlins Lagoon is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the North Platte River basin. This river system flows through Wyoming and Nebraska, supporting agricultural irrigation, wildlife habitat, and recreational activities. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in this semi-arid region where water resources are critical for both ecological and human uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the North Platte River watershed, which flows eastward through Wyoming and Nebraska before joining the Platte River. This basin supports diverse aquatic life including trout species and provides critical habitat for migratory birds along the Central Flyway. The semi-arid climate makes water quality management particularly important for downstream agricultural and municipal users.
Frequently asked questions
Rawlins Lagoon is located in Sinclair, Carbon County, Wyoming, United States, along Wyoming Highway 76.
The plant serves approximately 9,259 people in the Sinclair area and surrounding communities.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that flow into the North Platte River basin, supporting downstream water uses.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, requiring secondary treatment for municipal wastewater.
Facilities of this scale commonly use lagoon systems or activated sludge processes to meet secondary treatment standards, as mandated by the EPA for inland discharge.
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