Overview
Bingen POTW serves approximately 2,955 residents in Bingen, Washington. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge to protect local water quality.
Bingen POTW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bingen, Klickitat County, Washington. Serving a population of about 2,955, the facility is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from this small Columbia River community. As a U.S. plant of this scale, Bingen POTW is subject to the Clean Water Act and operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality, and secondary treatment is typically required for municipal plants serving populations of this size. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Columbia River, which flows westward to the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River is a major waterway supporting diverse aquatic life, including salmon runs, and its water quality is critical for both ecological health and downstream uses such as recreation and irrigation.
Environmental context
Bingen POTW discharges into the Columbia River, which flows through the Columbia River Gorge and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean. The river supports important fish species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Protecting water quality in this reach is vital for maintaining migratory corridors and aquatic habitat in a region known for its scenic and ecological value.
Frequently asked questions
Bingen POTW is located on Maple Street in Bingen, Klickitat County, Washington, United States.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Columbia River, which flows westward to the Pacific Ocean.
Bingen POTW helps protect the water quality of the Columbia River, a major waterway that supports salmon runs and other aquatic life.
As a municipal wastewater plant, Bingen POTW operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, as required by the Clean Water Act.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is typically required, which involves biological processes to remove organic matter and solids. Some plants may also incorporate nutrient removal or disinfection depending on local permit requirements.
Nearby plants