Leavenworth City of POTW, Leavenworth

Overview

Leavenworth City of POTW serves approximately 1,970 residents in Leavenworth, Washington. The plant treats municipal wastewater before discharging into the local watershed.

Leavenworth City of POTW is a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) located in Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington. The plant serves a small population of around 1,970 people in this scenic mountain community, which is known for its Bavarian-style architecture and tourism. As a small municipal facility, it plays a key role in managing local wastewater and protecting the surrounding environment. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, municipal wastewater treatment plants of this scale are typically required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology, governs the plant's discharge limits and monitoring requirements. The plant is expected to meet state and federal effluent guidelines for small communities. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Wenatchee River watershed, which flows into the Columbia River and ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Wenatchee River is a vital habitat for salmon and steelhead, including threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Wenatchee River, a tributary of the Columbia River, which drains into the Pacific Ocean. The Wenatchee River supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon runs and other cold-water species. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for downstream ecosystems and regional biodiversity.

Frequently asked questions

Leavenworth City of POTW is located at 1326 Commercial Street, Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington, United States.

The plant serves approximately 1,970 residents of Leavenworth, a small mountain community in Washington State.

The treated effluent is discharged into the Wenatchee River watershed, which flows into the Columbia River and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

For small communities of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems to meet effluent limits.