Overview
Orofino S_T Plant is a municipal wastewater facility serving approximately 3,500 residents in Orofino, Idaho. It operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated effluent to the Clearwater River watershed.
The Orofino S_T Plant is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Orofino, Clearwater County, Idaho. Serving a population of about 3,500, it is classified as a small community system under U.S. EPA guidelines. The plant is situated in the Clearwater River valley, a region characterized by forested terrain and a rural economy. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits based on water quality standards. For small communities like Orofino, typical treatment includes secondary biological processes, though specific process details for this plant are not publicly available. The plant's design capacity is not disclosed, but its population served suggests a moderate-scale operation. The treated wastewater is discharged into the Clearwater River, a major tributary of the Snake River, which flows into the Columbia River and ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Clearwater River supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead, making water quality protection critical for downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges to the Clearwater River, which flows into the Snake River and then the Columbia River, reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Clearwater River is an important habitat for anadromous fish species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, which migrate through the Columbia River system. Maintaining low nutrient and pollutant levels is essential to protect these fisheries and the broader aquatic food web.
Frequently asked questions
The Orofino S_T Plant is located in Orofino, Clearwater County, Idaho, United States.
The plant serves approximately 3,476 residents, classifying it as a small community wastewater system.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Clearwater River, which flows into the Snake River and then the Columbia River, ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean.
As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through an NPDES permit issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality or the EPA.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment (biological process) is standard, often including activated sludge or lagoon systems, to meet EPA effluent guidelines.
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