Overview
Ephrata S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 6,890 people in Ephrata, Washington, United States. It operates under the US Clean Water Act framework.
The Ephrata S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ephrata, Grant County, Washington, serving a population of about 6,890. As a small to medium-sized facility, it plays a key role in managing wastewater for this inland community in the Columbia River Basin. Under the US Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in receiving water bodies. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into a local waterway that flows into the Columbia River, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. The facility helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems, including fish habitats important for species such as salmon and steelhead.
Environmental context
The Ephrata S_T Facility discharges into a tributary of the Columbia River, which flows through the Columbia Plateau and empties into the Pacific Ocean. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species. The plant's operations are critical for maintaining water quality in this arid region where water resources are highly valued.
Frequently asked questions
The Ephrata S_T Facility is located on Peach Tree Lane in Ephrata, Grant County, Washington, United States.
The facility serves approximately 6,890 people, classifying it as a small to medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment plant.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that is part of the Columbia River Basin, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, which set effluent limits to protect water quality.
For plants of this size, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, often involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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