Overview
Anacortes STP serves approximately 17,644 residents in Anacortes, Washington. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast and discharges into the local watershed.
The Anacortes STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the city of Anacortes in Skagit County, Washington. With a population served of about 17,644, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic and industrial wastewater. The facility has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating its scale for the community. As a U.S. plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's discharge ultimately reaches the waters of Puget Sound via local waterways. Puget Sound is a major estuarine system that supports diverse marine life, including salmon, orcas, and shellfish. The plant's proximity to the coast underscores the importance of effective treatment to prevent nutrient pollution and protect aquatic habitats.
Environmental context
The Anacortes STP discharges into the Skagit River basin, which flows into Skagit Bay, part of the larger Puget Sound ecosystem. Puget Sound is a critical habitat for salmon runs, marine mammals, and migratory birds. The region's watershed is influenced by seasonal rainfall and snowmelt from the Cascade Range, making it sensitive to nutrient loading and pollution. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to maintain water quality and support the ecological health of this coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
The Anacortes STP is located at 519 5th Street in Anacortes, Skagit County, Washington, United States.
The plant serves approximately 17,644 residents in the city of Anacortes and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which ultimately flows into Skagit Bay and Puget Sound.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Plants of this scale in Washington typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting state water quality standards.
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