Overview
Kalama Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the city of Kalama, Washington, USA. It treats wastewater from approximately 2,515 residents and discharges into the local watershed.
The Kalama Wastewater Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in Kalama, Cowlitz County, Washington, United States. It serves a population of approximately 2,515 people, classifying it as a small-scale treatment plant under typical regulatory frameworks. As a plant in the United States, it operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the Columbia River, a major Pacific Northwest waterway. The Columbia River supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon runs, and drains into the Pacific Ocean. The plant's operations are critical for protecting downstream water quality and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Columbia River, which flows through Washington and Oregon before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River basin supports important fisheries, including salmon and steelhead, and provides habitat for diverse aquatic species. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting regional biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 206 Hendrickson Drive, Kalama, Cowlitz County, Washington, United States.
The plant serves approximately 2,515 residents of Kalama, Washington.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local water body that flows into the Columbia River, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean.
As a US municipal plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Plants of this size typically use secondary treatment processes, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EPA standards for BOD and TSS removal.
Nearby plants