Farmington S_T FAC Wastewater Treatment Plant, Farmington, Washington

Farmington S_T FAC is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Farmington, Washington, United States. It serves a small community of 123 people, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated in Whitman County, part of the Palouse region, and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for most municipal facilities under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. With a designed capacity of 68.14 volume units and a discharge volume of 98.42 volume units, the plant manages the wastewater generated by the local population. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Palouse River and then the Snake River, a major tributary of the Columbia River. The Columbia River system supports diverse aquatic life and is vital for regional ecology, including salmon runs. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in this important river basin.

The plant discharges into the Palouse River basin, which flows into the Snake River and then the Columbia River, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River system supports critical habitats for salmon, steelhead, and other native species, and is a key resource for irrigation, recreation, and hydropower. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, contributing to the ecological health of this extensive watershed.