Overview
Silverthorne _ Dillon JSA is a wastewater treatment plant in Summit County, Colorado, serving approximately 47,092 people. It operates under the US Clean Water Act, ensuring treated water meets federal standards before discharge.
Silverthorne _ Dillon JSA is a wastewater treatment facility located in Summit County, Colorado, in the Rocky Mountain region. The plant serves a population of around 47,092, making it a medium-sized agglomeration serving the communities of Silverthorne and Dillon. Its location in a high-altitude, mountainous area presents unique operational challenges related to cold temperatures and seasonal tourism fluctuations. As a US-based facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. For a plant serving this population size, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal to protect sensitive mountain watersheds. The plant's design and operations are overseen by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Blue River watershed, which flows into Dillon Reservoir, a key water supply and recreational resource. The reservoir ultimately drains into the Colorado River, supporting downstream ecosystems and water users across the southwestern United States. Protecting water quality in this headwater region is critical for the health of the entire Colorado River Basin.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the Blue River, a tributary of the Colorado River. The Blue River flows through Dillon Reservoir, a major storage facility that supplies water to Denver and other Front Range communities. Downstream, the Colorado River supports diverse aquatic life, including several endangered fish species, and provides water for agriculture and municipalities across multiple states. The mountainous terrain and cold-water habitats make the watershed ecologically sensitive to nutrient pollution and temperature changes.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Sage Hill Drive in Summit County, Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains near the towns of Silverthorne and Dillon.
The plant serves approximately 47,092 people, covering the communities of Silverthorne and Dillon, with capacity to handle seasonal tourist influx.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Blue River, which flows into Dillon Reservoir and eventually the Colorado River.
The plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards.
Plants of this scale in Colorado typically employ secondary treatment with nutrient removal to protect sensitive mountain watersheds, often including biological processes and disinfection.
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