Overview
TONOPAH Reuse serves Esmeralda County, Nevada, with a population of 3,542. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework for small inland communities.
TONOPAH Reuse is a wastewater treatment facility located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, serving a population of approximately 3,542 residents. The plant is situated in a remote, arid region of the Great Basin, where water reuse is a critical component of local water management. As a small agglomeration in the United States, the plant is subject to the Clean Water Act and state-level regulations administered by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. The plant's name suggests a focus on water reuse, which is common in water-scarce regions. The facility discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the Great Basin's internal drainage system. This region is characterized by endorheic basins where water does not reach the ocean, making the protection of groundwater and local surface water quality essential for the fragile desert ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant is located in the Great Basin, a vast region of internal drainage where water flows into terminal lakes or evaporates. The area's hydrology is dominated by ephemeral streams and playas. The local watershed supports desert-adapted species and is sensitive to changes in water quality and quantity. Downstream, any discharge would contribute to groundwater recharge or evaporate in basin sinks, with no connection to the ocean.
Frequently asked questions
TONOPAH Reuse is located on Sewer Pond Road in Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States. It serves the local community in a remote area of the Great Basin.
The plant serves a population of 3,542 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under US regulatory frameworks.
Given its inland desert location, treated water likely supports groundwater recharge or is reused for local purposes, consistent with the plant's name.
As a US facility, TONOPAH Reuse operates under the Clean Water Act, with permits issued by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Small communities typically require secondary treatment.
For small communities in Nevada, secondary treatment is standard, often using lagoons or activated sludge. Water reuse is increasingly common due to arid conditions.
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