Camas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Camas

Overview

Camas Wastewater Treatment Plant serves approximately 19,620 residents in Camas, Washington. The facility discharges treated effluent into the Columbia River, supporting downstream water quality in the Pacific Northwest.

Camas Wastewater Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in Camas, Washington, along the Lewis and Clark Highway. Serving a population of around 19,620, the plant plays a key role in managing wastewater for this growing community in Clark County, part of the Portland metropolitan area. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard for municipal wastewater facilities. Facilities of this scale typically employ secondary treatment (biological processes) to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. The Washington State Department of Ecology oversees permitting and compliance, ensuring that effluent quality protects receiving waters. Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into the Columbia River, one of North America's largest rivers by volume. The Columbia River flows westward to the Pacific Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic life including salmon runs and other migratory fish. The plant's operations are critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically significant river system, which serves as a vital resource for recreation, fisheries, and regional water supply.

Environmental context

The Camas Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges into the Columbia River, which flows approximately 1,200 miles to the Pacific Ocean. The lower Columbia River is an ecologically sensitive area that supports critical salmon and steelhead habitats, as well as a variety of wildlife. The plant's effluent must meet strict water quality standards to protect these downstream ecosystems, particularly during low-flow summer months when dilution capacity is reduced.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located on Lewis and Clark Highway in Camas, Washington, within Clark County. It serves the Camas area in the Portland metropolitan region.

The plant serves approximately 19,620 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater facility under U.S. regulatory frameworks.

Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Columbia River, which flows westward to the Pacific Ocean. The discharge is regulated under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. Compliance is enforced through an NPDES permit administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

For a medium-sized agglomeration like Camas, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is the standard requirement under the Clean Water Act. This typically involves activated sludge or similar processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.