Overview
The Harrisburg Lagoon Treatment Plant serves Harrisburg, Oregon, treating wastewater for a population of approximately 2,935. It operates under the US Clean Water Act, with state-level NPDES permitting.
The Harrisburg Lagoon Treatment Plant is a municipal wastewater facility located in Harrisburg, Oregon, serving a population of about 2,935. The plant is situated inland, away from the coast, and discharges into local waterways within the Willamette River basin. As a small-scale facility, the plant is subject to the US Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Lagoon systems are common for small communities and typically provide secondary treatment through natural biological processes. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the Willamette River, a major tributary of the Columbia River, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon runs, and is ecologically sensitive to nutrient and pollutant loads.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Willamette River basin, which drains into the Columbia River and then the Pacific Ocean. The Willamette River supports important fish species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, making water quality management critical for downstream ecosystems. The region's climate and agricultural land use influence runoff and nutrient loading, requiring effective treatment to protect aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 23787 Peoria Road, Harrisburg, Oregon, in Linn County, United States.
The plant serves approximately 2,935 people in the Harrisburg area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the Willamette River basin, which ultimately flows to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, setting limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
Small communities often use lagoon systems or other secondary treatment technologies, which are cost-effective and provide biological treatment to meet NPDES permit requirements.
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