The El Dorado Wastewater Treatment Facility was built in 1957 and upgraded in 1981. The facility has a design capacity of 1.75 million gallons per day. Current average flows are well above that figure at 2.2 million gallons per day. Increasingly stringent regulations will not allow us expand the existing facility and meet the new effluent parameters.

The City of El Dorado has been conducting a wetlands pilot study the last three years in an effort to find a more cost-effective treatment alternative. The results of the wetlands study showed excellent treatment during spring, summer and fall, but minimal treatment during the winter. Plans are to utilize wetlands in the future for high wet weather flows in order to minimize future plant designs.

Wetland Pilot Project – Mature Cattails - This 3-year study looked at treatment of wastewater with wetlands. Pilot project took a small amount of wastewater, midway through the process and channeled through the wetlands.

Flow Control Structure – We found Wetlands perform best at about 6 inches of water depth. Notice "Raptor Poles" in background – These poles provide a convenient perch and encourage predation of muskrats by its natural enemies, the Redtail Hawk and Great Horned Owl.

August Burn - Late Summer burning encourages more vigorous Fall growth and increased nutrient uptake.

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