Abstract |
The city of Las Cruces operates sewage treatment facilities which serve the city, the town of Mesilla, New Mexico State University, and parts of Dona Ana County. Major problems include: (a) inadequate collection and treatment capacity to accommodate the substantial growth; and (b) an existing treatment facility that is inefficient. Alternatives regarding service area, collection system improvements, wastewater treatment, and sludge management were analyzed to accommodate expected sewage flows to the year 2005. Las Cruces proposes to expand its service area slightly to conform to projected growth patterns and to construct interceptor and collection sewers necessary to provide service throughout the urban area. This will principally impact non-agricultural lands northeast of the existing service area. The city proposes to use the existing plant site, and to replace the current treatment facility with a roughing filter followed by activated sludge treatment. |