Overview
GOLDENDALE POTW serves Centerville, Washington, treating wastewater for approximately 3,425 residents. The plant operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations for small communities.
GOLDENDALE POTW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Centerville, Klickitat County, Washington, United States. It serves a population of about 3,425 people, typical of a small rural community in the Pacific Northwest. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and discharges into local waterways within the Columbia River basin. As a small-scale facility in the United States, GOLDENDALE POTW is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. Operational practices align with state and federal guidelines for small agglomerations. The treated effluent from GOLDENDALE POTW likely enters a nearby stream or river that drains into the Columbia River, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality in the arid Klickitat County region, where water resources are vital for agriculture, wildlife, and downstream communities.
Environmental context
GOLDENDALE POTW discharges into the Columbia River basin, which flows through the Columbia River Gorge and ultimately empties into the Pacific Ocean. The region supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead trout, which are sensitive to nutrient loading and contaminants. The plant's treatment performance is critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically important watershed.
Frequently asked questions
GOLDENDALE POTW is located in Centerville, Klickitat County, Washington, United States, along the Centerville Highway.
The plant serves approximately 3,425 people, typical of a small rural community in Washington state.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways within the Columbia River basin, likely a nearby stream or river that flows to the Columbia River and eventually the Pacific Ocean.
As a U.S. facility, GOLDENDALE POTW operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, which sets effluent limits and monitoring requirements.
For small communities of this size, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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