Overview
Safford WWTF serves approximately 10,500 residents in Safford, Arizona. The plant operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations, discharging treated wastewater to local waterways.
Safford WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Safford, Arizona, serving a population of about 10,500. The plant is situated in Graham County, near the Gila River watershed, and plays a key role in managing wastewater for this rural community in the southwestern United States. As a U.S. facility, Safford WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal plants. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. Plants of this scale typically employ biological treatment followed by disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately contributing to the Gila River basin, which flows into the Colorado River and eventually the Gulf of California. The plant's operations help protect downstream aquatic habitats and support water quality in the arid Southwest, where water resources are critically important.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Gila River watershed, a vital water source in the Sonoran Desert. The Gila River flows into the Colorado River, which supplies water to millions and supports diverse ecosystems, including riparian habitats and endangered species. Protecting water quality in this arid region is essential for both ecological health and human use.
Frequently asked questions
Safford WWTF is located at 1395 Reclamation Way, Safford, Arizona, in Graham County, United States.
The plant serves approximately 10,500 residents in the Safford area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Gila River basin and ultimately the Colorado River.
As a U.S. municipal plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality or the EPA.
Plants of this scale typically use secondary treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by disinfection, to meet NPDES permit limits.
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