Overview
Swink Town of wastewater treatment plant serves 705 residents in Swink, Colorado, with secondary treatment. The plant discharges 227.13 units of treated effluent, operating under U.S. EPA NPDES regulations.
The Swink Town of wastewater treatment plant is located at 448 Columbia Avenue in Swink, Otero County, Colorado. It serves a population of approximately 705 residents, making it a small municipal facility in the Arkansas River basin. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size in the United States. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 227.12 units, with a discharge volume of 227.13 units, indicating near-full utilization. As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. The Arkansas River supports diverse aquatic life and is used for irrigation and recreation. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollution, contributing to the ecological health of the downstream watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Arkansas River, which flows through southeastern Colorado and into the Mississippi River basin. The Arkansas River supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The region's semi-arid climate means that water quality in the river is sensitive to nutrient inputs, making secondary treatment essential for maintaining aquatic ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 448 Columbia Avenue in Swink, Otero County, Colorado, United States.
The plant serves approximately 705 residents, classifying it as a small municipal wastewater facility.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, ensuring effluent meets water quality standards.
Small municipal plants in Colorado are generally required to provide secondary treatment under the Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits specifying effluent limits for BOD, TSS, and other pollutants to protect receiving waters.
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