Overview
Driggs S_T Facility serves approximately 4,300 residents in Driggs, Idaho. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits ensuring treated effluent meets water quality standards for local waterways.
The Driggs S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Driggs, Teton County, Idaho. Serving a population of around 4,300, this facility is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater in a rural, mountainous setting near the Teton Range. As a U.S. plant of this scale, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality, typically requiring secondary treatment for municipal plants. The facility's design capacity and treatment processes are aligned with state regulations for small communities. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Teton River watershed, which flows into the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, eventually reaching the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. This waterway supports diverse aquatic life, including trout species, and is important for irrigation and recreation in the region.
Environmental context
The Driggs S_T Facility discharges into the Teton River basin, a tributary of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River. This watershed drains the western slopes of the Teton Range and supports cold-water fisheries, including Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river flows through agricultural and rural areas before joining the Snake River, which ultimately reaches the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Protecting water quality in this basin is critical for maintaining aquatic habitat and downstream uses.
Frequently asked questions
The Driggs S_T Facility is located on North Main Street in Driggs, Teton County, Idaho, United States.
The facility serves approximately 4,288 residents in the Driggs area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Teton River watershed, which flows into the Henrys Fork of the Snake River and eventually reaches the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, which set effluent limits to protect water quality.
For small communities of this size, secondary treatment is typical under the Clean Water Act, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems, with disinfection to meet permit limits.
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