Overview
Ruidoso WWTP serves approximately 10,500 residents in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The facility treats municipal wastewater from the Lincoln County area before discharging into the local watershed.
Ruidoso WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 168 Skyvue Drive in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The plant serves a population of about 10,513 people in the Lincoln County region, operating as part of the town's essential water infrastructure. As a facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New Mexico Environment Department regulate wastewater discharges to protect water quality in the arid Southwest. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rio Hondo and then the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande is a critical water source for communities and ecosystems in New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Rio Hondo watershed, a tributary of the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande flows through the Chihuahuan Desert, providing vital water for riparian habitats, migratory birds, and endangered species such as the Rio Grande silvery minnow. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management crucial for sustaining both human and ecological needs.
Frequently asked questions
Ruidoso WWTP is located at 168 Skyvue Drive in Ruidoso, Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States.
The plant serves approximately 10,513 residents in the Ruidoso area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Rio Hondo and eventually the Rio Grande.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is subject to NPDES permits issued by the New Mexico Environment Department, ensuring compliance with water quality standards.
Plants of this size in the U.S. typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with some employing advanced treatment to meet specific discharge limits for nutrients or other pollutants.
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