Overview
It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that basic techniques of wastewater collection were established in the United States. Significant population increases in urban areas and the emergence of diseases resulting from improper sewage disposal and management catalyzed the progression from decentralized cesspool vault systems to centralized wastewater carriage collection systems. But since wastewater treatment was limited during the turn of the century - essentially there wasn’t any - the collection systems merely transferred the nuisances and public health risks of sewage to adjacent waterways and downstream riparian residents. Just imagine it! Thankfully, by the mid 1920s, the Progressive Movement in the United States was advocating the protection of natural resources and was in favor of protecting water quality. At the same time laws and regulations were being passed with the goal of protecting water quality from developing nuisance conditions.
Today, the governing body of law that addresses surface water quality protection in the United States is the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA employs a variety of regulatory and nonregulatory tools to, among other things, minimize direct pollutant discharges into waterways. The broader goal of the CWA is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters so they can support “the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water.” As authorized by the CWA, the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources, like wastewater treatment plants that discharge pollutants into U.S. waters. Since its introduction in 1972, this permit program is responsible for significant improvements to our Nation’s water quality.
Just as it was obvious in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, wastewater produced by people on a daily basis eventually finds its way back to the environment. Today, while most homeowners are familiar with the in-home portion of the water cycle – the plumbing fixtures and pipe networks – many are unfamiliar with what happens to waste materials after they are flushed or washed down the drain. This wastewater eventually becomes part of the freshwater supply again to be eventually used by people, aquatic life and wildlife downstream, so it must be purified before it is released back into the environment. Wastewater primarily originates from sinks, tubs, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers found in homes and businesses and, in our system, is delivered to the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (District) facilities via a collection system. Wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) are designed to remove organic material, nutrients, and disease causing organisms before the recycled water is released back into the natural water bodies.
Wastewater treatment technology has come a long way since the late 1800s and the District is dedicated to the design and implementation of the best of these technologies to serve the community and protect water quality. The District is very aware that preventing water quality degradation from occurring in the first place is the most effective approach to water quality management. There are three WWTFs charged with treating wastewater in Vail and the surrounding communities. These facilities are located in Vail, Avon and Edwards. Each WWTF has unique features and treatment processes which are described in more detail on the wastewater treatment process page.