Overview
The Moscow Sewage Treatment Plant serves approximately 23,800 residents in Moscow, Idaho. It operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated wastewater to local waterways.
The Moscow Sewage Treatment Plant is a municipal wastewater facility located on Pullman Road in Moscow, Latah County, Idaho. It serves a population of about 23,800 people, making it a medium-sized plant for the region. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 kilometers from the coast, and its operations are integral to the local infrastructure. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, govern discharge limits and monitoring. For a plant of this scale, typical treatment includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains to the Palouse River and then to the Snake River, a major tributary of the Columbia River. The Columbia River flows to the Pacific Ocean, making the plant's discharge part of a large river basin that supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural uses.
Environmental context
The Moscow Sewage Treatment Plant discharges into the Palouse River watershed, which flows into the Snake River and then the Columbia River, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. This river system supports critical habitats for salmon and steelhead, which are ecologically and economically important. The plant's operations must comply with water quality standards to protect these downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The Moscow Sewage Treatment Plant is located on Pullman Road in Moscow, Latah County, Idaho, United States.
The plant serves approximately 23,800 residents in the city of Moscow and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into the Palouse River, then the Snake River, and eventually the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. It is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, setting discharge limits to protect water quality.
For a plant of this size, typical treatment includes primary sedimentation followed by secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet Clean Water Act standards. Disinfection is often used before discharge.
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