Overview
LA GRANDE STP serves approximately 17,000 residents in Union County, Oregon. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, contributing to the region's water quality management.
LA GRANDE STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Union County, Oregon, serving a population of about 17,000. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates within the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. As a facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. Under the Clean Water Act, secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal plants of this scale. The facility's discharge likely undergoes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before release. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality oversees compliance with state and federal regulations. The treated effluent from LA GRANDE STP is discharged into a receiving water body within the Grande Ronde River basin, which ultimately flows into the Snake River and then the Columbia River before reaching the Pacific Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including salmonid species, and the plant's operations are critical to maintaining downstream water quality and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Grande Ronde River watershed, a tributary of the Snake River, which flows into the Columbia River and eventually the Pacific Ocean. This basin supports cold-water fisheries, including threatened salmon and steelhead populations. The plant's effluent must meet stringent water quality standards to protect these sensitive aquatic habitats and maintain the ecological integrity of the downstream river system.
Frequently asked questions
LA GRANDE STP is located on Pierce Road in Union County, Oregon, United States. It serves the city of La Grande and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 17,063 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body within the Grande Ronde River basin, which flows into the Snake River and ultimately the Columbia River.
As a municipal plant in the United States, LA GRANDE STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. This permit sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is standard, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Some facilities may also incorporate nutrient removal or disinfection depending on permit requirements.
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