Elk River STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Clearwater County, Idaho

Elk River STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Clearwater County, Idaho, United States. The plant serves a small population of 125 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 227.12 thousand gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 264.98 thousand gallons per day, the facility manages local wastewater flows effectively. Secondary treatment is typical for small communities in the US, meeting federal requirements for protecting water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into nearby streams that drain into the Clearwater River, a major tributary of the Snake River. The Snake River flows into the Columbia River, which ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean. The plant's operations help preserve the ecological health of these waterways, supporting aquatic life and downstream uses.

The plant discharges into local streams that feed the Clearwater River, a key tributary of the Snake River. The Snake River flows through the Columbia River Basin to the Pacific Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems including salmon and steelhead populations. The region's forested watershed provides important habitat, and the plant's secondary treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.