Everson S_T Facility: Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Everson, Washington

The Everson S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Everson, Washington, a small community in Whatcom County near the Canadian border. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,837 residents and provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for most municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 681.37 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 454.25 million gallons per year, the plant operates below its capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant is subject to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Nooksack River and then to Bellingham Bay in Puget Sound. This watershed supports salmon runs and diverse aquatic life, making proper treatment essential for downstream ecosystem health. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge can affect marine environments.

The Everson S_T Facility discharges into a tributary of the Nooksack River, which flows westward through Whatcom County and empties into Bellingham Bay, part of the Salish Sea. This watershed supports critical habitat for Pacific salmon species, including Chinook, coho, and steelhead. The river and bay are ecologically sensitive areas that require careful management of nutrient and pollutant loads to maintain water quality and support fisheries.