LaCrosse Wastewater Facility: Serving LaCrosse, Washington with Secondary Treatment

LaCrosse Wastewater Facility is a municipal treatment plant located in LaCrosse, Whitman County, Washington. It serves a small population of 315 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The facility is situated inland, far from coastal influences, and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US EPA for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 306.62 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 246.05 million gallons per year, the facility operates below its capacity. As a small plant, it is subject to state-level NPDES permitting through the Washington State Department of Ecology. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Columbia River basin. The Columbia River system supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical resource for irrigation, recreation, and hydropower in the Pacific Northwest. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in this ecologically significant watershed.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Columbia River basin, which flows through Washington and Oregon before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River supports salmon runs and other native fish species, making water quality management essential for ecosystem health. The facility's secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain the ecological integrity of the receiving waters.