Gig Harbor STP, Gig Harbor

Overview

Gig Harbor STP serves approximately 14,947 residents in Washington, USA. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Puget Sound watershed, supporting local water quality and marine ecosystem health.

Gig Harbor STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Gig Harbor, Washington, United States. Serving a population of about 14,947, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure managed under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which sets standards for wastewater treatment and discharge to protect public health and the environment. Plants of this scale in Washington typically employ secondary treatment or better, as required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized to handle the community's wastewater needs. The plant's discharge ultimately reaches the Puget Sound, a major estuary in the Pacific Northwest. This water body supports diverse marine life, including salmon, orcas, and shellfish. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect the sensitive marine ecosystem of the Sound.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Puget Sound watershed, which drains into the Salish Sea and eventually the Pacific Ocean. The Puget Sound is a critical habitat for salmon, orcas, and shellfish, and is sensitive to nutrient loading and contaminants. Effective wastewater treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically important estuary.

Frequently asked questions

Gig Harbor STP is located at 4172 Austin Street, Gig Harbor, Washington, United States.

The plant serves approximately 14,947 residents in the Gig Harbor area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Puget Sound watershed, which flows into the Salish Sea and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.

As a U.S. facility, Gig Harbor STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Plants of this size in Washington typically employ secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting state and federal water quality standards.