Wastewater Reclamation

The City of Alamogordo Waste Water Reclamation Facility is a Sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Basically, a series of mixing, aeration, and settling processes are used to remove nitrates and nitrites without using chemicals. After this process, the clear water is held in the contact chambers with chlorine to kill pathogens. Finally, it flows to our reservoirs to be used for irrigation in our Parks, Schools, Ballfields, and Golf Courses

We believe recycling as much water as possible from the wastewater system is essential in our desert environment.

Watering our green spaces with effluent water helps us to utilize water that would otherwise be processed and then released into the desert. We have limited storage for effluent water that is used to water our green spaces. With the high number of green spaces to be watered, you may see sprinklers going at times when household water with our city’s drinking water would not be allowed.

Responsibility

The Wastewater Reclamation Division is responsible for only the main sewer line. This line receives wastewater from homes and businesses. Those homes and businesses are responsible for the service lines. Service lines are the sewer lines that from the house or business to the main sewer line.

Process

Wastewater generated from the residential and commercial developments within the service area is treated at the City’s WRF. The existing WRF was designed to treat an average daily flow of 3 million gallons per day (mgd) with peak daily flows up to 6 mgd. 

Influent wastewater from the collection system flows through preliminary treatment, which consists of screening and grit removal. Screened wastewater is then treated in a 3-basin sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system, followed by chlorination and tertiary filtration. The WRF produces Class 1A treated effluent that is reused for irrigation.

Wastewater sludge (solids) generated in the SBRs is stabilized in an aerobic digester and dewatered using a belt filter press or sludge drying beds. Semi-solid and solid wastewater sludge is discharged to five surface disposal cells. Screenings and grit are sent to the Otero County landfill for disposal.