Churchill County Seeks Renewal of Wastewater Discharge Permit for Moody Lane Facility

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has posted a notice of proposed action for the renewal of a groundwater discharge permit at Churchill County’s Moody Lane Regional Water Reclamation Facility (MLRWRF), located at 2831 Moody Lane in Fallon.

Churchill County is requesting renewal of Permit NS2007500, which allows the facility to continue discharging treated wastewater to groundwater via a reclaimed water export pipeline for irrigation purposes. During routine maintenance or emergencies, the permit also authorizes discharge to two onsite evaporation basins, designed to handle up to 37,500 gallons of effluent per day.

The MLRWRF is a membrane bioreactor treatment plant that produces secondary-treated, denitrified, and disinfected wastewater—also known as Category B effluent. The renewed permit would continue to allow discharge to future reuse sites as well as limited use of onsite holding ponds for evaporation. The facility is also permitted to discharge to the Lower Carson River through the Wade Drain under a separate permit.

According to the NDEP, no degradation of the state’s groundwater is anticipated.

The proposed permit renewal is for a five-year period and includes specific effluent limitations. Public comments on the permit proposal are being accepted through April 30, 2025.

Written comments or hearing requests must be submitted to the Nevada Bureau of Water Pollution Control by mail or in person at 901 S. Stewart St., Suite 4001, Carson City, NV 89701. Comments must be postmarked or delivered by 5 p.m. on the deadline day. If significant public interest is shown, a hearing may be scheduled.

The fact sheet and additional information about the proposed permit can be found on the NDEP website at ndep.nv.gov/posts/category/water, or by contacting Melissa Hanson at (775) 687-9315 or [email protected].