Overview
Ketchum STP serves approximately 17,083 people in Blaine County, Idaho. The plant treats municipal wastewater and discharges into the Big Wood River watershed, which flows through the Wood River Valley.
Ketchum STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Blaine County, Idaho, serving the communities of Ketchum and Sun Valley. The plant treats wastewater from a population of about 17,083, making it a medium-sized facility in the region. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, with oversight from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Under the Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. These permits set limits on biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other pollutants to protect water quality. The plant's treatment process is designed to comply with these standards, ensuring that effluent meets regulatory requirements before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into the Big Wood River, which flows through the Wood River Valley and eventually joins the Little Wood River to form the Malad River. This river system is part of the Snake River Basin, which drains into the Columbia River and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. The Big Wood River supports diverse aquatic life, including trout species, and is an important resource for recreation and irrigation in the region.
Environmental context
Ketchum STP discharges into the Big Wood River, a tributary of the Snake River Basin. The Big Wood River flows through the Wood River Valley, providing habitat for native fish such as cutthroat trout and supporting a vibrant riparian ecosystem. Downstream, the river joins the Snake River, which is a major tributary of the Columbia River, ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its high-altitude location and reliance on snowmelt, making water quality protection critical for both aquatic life and human uses.
Frequently asked questions
Ketchum STP is located in Blaine County, Idaho, near Sun Valley Trail, serving the communities of Ketchum and Sun Valley.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Big Wood River, which flows through the Wood River Valley and eventually reaches the Snake River and Columbia River.
Ketchum STP protects the Big Wood River and its downstream waters, including the Snake River and Columbia River, by treating wastewater to meet Clean Water Act standards.
Ketchum STP operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges. Plants serving populations like 17,083 typically need secondary treatment to meet water quality standards.
In the U.S., plants serving around 17,000 people are classified as medium-sized and typically require secondary treatment under the Clean Water Act, including processes like activated sludge or trickling filters.
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