Fenn S_T Facility Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cottonwood, Idaho

Fenn S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located along US 95 in Cottonwood, Idaho County, Idaho. The plant serves a small population of 25, reflecting its role in a rural community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges to protect water quality. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 34.07 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 11.36 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. As a small plant in a rural area, it is subject to state-level NPDES permitting under the EPA's delegated authority. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Snake River basin and then the Columbia River, supporting aquatic habitats and downstream water uses. The plant's location inland and away from sensitive coastal areas reduces its direct environmental impact, but proper treatment remains essential for protecting local streams and groundwater.

The plant discharges into the local watershed within the Snake River basin, which flows into the Columbia River and eventually the Pacific Ocean. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life, including salmonid species, and are important for irrigation and recreation in the region. The plant's secondary treatment helps maintain water quality in this inland system.