Overview
Ellensburg STP serves approximately 18,250 people in Ellensburg, Washington. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Yakima River basin, supporting local water quality and downstream ecosystems.
Ellensburg STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Ellensburg, Washington, serving a population of about 18,250 residents. Situated in Kittitas County, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from the community. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the U.S. Clean Water Act, administered through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Facilities of this scale typically employ biological treatment followed by disinfection to meet permit limits. The plant's treated effluent is discharged to the Yakima River, a major tributary of the Columbia River system. The Yakima River supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead runs, and is a critical water resource for agriculture in the region. Proper treatment helps protect water quality and ecosystem health in this arid watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Yakima River, which flows into the Columbia River and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Yakima River basin is ecologically sensitive, supporting threatened salmonid species and providing irrigation for extensive agricultural areas. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to maintain water quality standards and protect downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Ellensburg STP is located at 2392 Canyon Road in Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, United States.
The plant serves approximately 18,250 people in the Ellensburg area.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Yakima River, which flows into the Columbia River and ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean.
As a municipal facility in the United States, Ellensburg STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
Plants of this size in Washington typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and solids, followed by disinfection, to meet state and federal standards.
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