GEORGE STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in George, Washington

GEORGE STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in George, Washington, a small community in Grant County. The plant serves a population of approximately 690 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale treatment facility in an inland, rural setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater plants. With a designed capacity of 272.55 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 113.56 million gallons per year, the plant operates well below its capacity. As a U.S. facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Columbia River basin. The Columbia River is a major waterway in the Pacific Northwest, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation, recreation, and hydropower. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically significant river system.

The plant discharges into the Columbia River basin, a vast watershed that drains into the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River supports salmon runs, including endangered species, and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in this important river system.