Metaline Municipal STP - Wastewater Treatment in Metaline, Washington

Metaline Municipal STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Metaline, a small town in Pend Oreille County, Washington, United States. The plant serves a population of 160, reflecting the rural character of the area. It is situated in the northeastern part of the state, near the border with Idaho. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity matches its discharge volume of 166.56 units, indicating it operates at full capacity. As a small facility, it is subject to state-level permitting under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Pend Oreille River, which flows into the Columbia River and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this sparsely populated region, where aquatic ecosystems depend on clean water.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that drains into the Pend Oreille River, a major tributary of the Columbia River. The Columbia River system supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead, which are ecologically and culturally significant. The region's watershed is characterized by forested mountains and relatively pristine water bodies, making proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain water quality.