This is one of the better places to find waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and terns in El Paso County. The site has turned up a number of local rarities, including Surf Scoter, Snowy Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, Sabine's and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Least and Caspian's Terns.

Waterfowl are present year-round, but more plentiful in winter. Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers, American Coots, and Eared Grebes are present in fairly high numbers in summer. Common shorebirds include Black-necked Stilts, Wilson's Phalaropes, and Western, Baird's, and Least Sandpipers. Ring-billed Gulls can be found in large numbers on the facility's berms in winter, with the potential for interesting vagrants mixed in. This site is the most reliable location in El Paso County for Black Terns in summer. Franklin's Gulls, also scarce in the area, have also occasionally been seen in spring.

Coveys of Gambel's and Scaled Quails are commonly seen in the surrounding brush, especially at the far northwestern corner, and may be hybridizing (at least one hybrid has been documented here). Sage Thrashers and Sagebrush Sparrows, both relatively difficult to find in the county, can be found in the desert to the west of the facility along dirt roads in winter. Songbirds are generally not plentiful at this site, but flighty mixed-species sparrow flocks can be found along the northern edge.

The Horizon City Reverse Osmosis Ponds are located on the south side of Horizon Blvd. The inconspicuous main entrance is just west of the Dollar General, and a secondary entrance lies to the east of the facility, west of Ascension Street. There is no access to the facility itself, but dirt roads encircle the ponds. They are generally passable in a 2WD vehicle, but the southwestern corner of the northwestern quadrant of the facility (around 31.678344, -106.160494) should be avoided, as it can be dangerously muddy and is currently flooded as of May 2023. A dirt road leads off into the desert to the west of the facility before you get to the flooded/muddy area and connects to a series of other named but undeveloped "roads." These are also passable, but watch for glass and other hazards. This area of desert is full of trash, discarded furniture, etc. but can yield good birds, especially in winter.

Cones currently prevent drivers from turning left at the facility's entrance, so to access the eastern set of ponds, head down to the second entrance (if you pass Dollar Tree, you have gone too far). 

All birding can be done via car, though it is sometimes necessary to step out of the vehicle in order to get photos of birds. The facility is enclosed in a fence which does not preclude good views with binoculars, but can make photography difficult. 

The facility is generally free of other vehicles, but keep an eye out for occasional workers' trucks and local residents on ATVs and be sure not to block their way.