Overview
SHIPROCK STP serves Apache County, Arizona, treating wastewater for approximately 9,359 people. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by EPA NPDES permits.
SHIPROCK STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Apache County, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation. It serves a population of about 9,359 residents, making it a small-to-medium agglomeration. The plant is situated inland, far from coastal waters, and its treated effluent likely discharges into local water bodies that drain into the Colorado River system. As a US facility, SHIPROCK STP operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all point source discharges. For plants serving populations between 5,000 and 10,000, secondary treatment is typically mandated to reduce biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids. It is expected to meet federal and state effluent guidelines. The plant's discharge ultimately contributes to the Colorado River Basin, a critical water resource for the arid Southwestern United States. The receiving water body supports diverse aquatic life and is used for irrigation, recreation, and municipal supply downstream. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Environmental context
SHIPROCK STP discharges into local waterways that are part of the Colorado River Basin, which drains into the Gulf of California. The region is arid and water-scarce, making the protection of water quality vital for downstream ecosystems and human use. The receiving waters support species such as the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, both of which are sensitive to pollution.
Frequently asked questions
SHIPROCK STP is located in Apache County, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation. Its address is Shiprock Agency, Naat'aanii Neez Bil Hahoodzo biyi'di, Apache County, Arizona, United States.
SHIPROCK STP serves approximately 9,359 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under US regulatory frameworks.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that are part of the Colorado River Basin. The discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act.
SHIPROCK STP operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires an NPDES permit for any discharge of pollutants. For plants serving populations around 9,359, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits.
Plants serving populations between 5,000 and 10,000 in the US typically employ secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Some may also incorporate disinfection or nutrient removal depending on local requirements.
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