Overview
South Grand Canyon Sanitary District Tusayan WWTP serves 2,500 people in Coconino County, Arizona, with secondary treatment and a designed capacity of 2,839.05 cubic meters per day.
The South Grand Canyon Sanitary District Tusayan WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Coconino County, Arizona, near the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. It serves a population of approximately 2,500 residents and visitors, reflecting the small community scale typical of this remote, high-desert region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities discharging to surface waters. Its designed capacity of 2,839.05 cubic meters per day indicates adequate sizing for current and near-future demand. The plant's discharge volume of 567.81 cubic meters per day suggests a utilization rate well below capacity, allowing for seasonal peaks from tourism. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Colorado River basin, ultimately reaching the Colorado River and Lake Mead. This watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for downstream communities and agriculture. The plant's operation is critical for protecting the Grand Canyon ecosystem and downstream water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Colorado River basin, which flows through the Grand Canyon and into Lake Mead. This arid region's watershed supports unique riparian habitats and is a vital water source for the southwestern United States. The Colorado River downstream is home to several endangered fish species, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Coconino County, Arizona, near the southern entrance of Grand Canyon National Park in the community of Tusayan.
The plant serves approximately 2,500 people, including residents and tourists visiting the Grand Canyon area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Colorado River basin, which ultimately flows into the Colorado River and Lake Mead.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities discharging to surface waters.
As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
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