Overview
HILO WWTF serves approximately 36,000 residents in Hilo, Hawaii. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge likely impacting Hilo Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
HILO WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii. It serves a population of about 36,000 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration for the region. The plant is situated near the coast, with treated effluent likely discharged into Hilo Bay, which is part of the larger Pacific Ocean ecosystem. As a U.S. facility, HILO WWTF operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, as mandated by the Clean Water Act. Regulatory compliance ensures environmental protection. The plant's receiving water body is likely Hilo Bay, a coastal embayment that supports diverse marine life, including coral reefs and fish populations. The bay is an important recreational and ecological resource, and the plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in this sensitive coastal environment.
Environmental context
HILO WWTF discharges into Hilo Bay, which opens to the Pacific Ocean. The bay supports coral reefs, seagrass beds, and a variety of marine species, making it ecologically sensitive. The plant's effluent must meet strict water quality standards to protect these habitats and the broader coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
HILO WWTF is located at 4282 Kekuanaoa Place in Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island.
The plant serves approximately 36,000 residents in the Hilo area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into Hilo Bay, which flows into the Pacific Ocean.
As a U.S. facility, HILO WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act and requires an NPDES permit issued by the Hawaii Department of Health.
Plants of this scale in Hawaii typically employ secondary treatment, including biological processes, to meet state and federal water quality standards.
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