Overview
POCATELLO STP serves approximately 68,177 people in Bannock County, Idaho. The plant treats municipal wastewater and discharges into the Portneuf River watershed, part of the Snake River Basin.
POCATELLO STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bannock County, Idaho, United States. It serves a population of around 68,177 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized facility under U. S. EPA guidelines. The plant is situated on Frontage Road and operates within the regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. As a facility serving a population between 10,000 and 100,000, POCATELLO STP is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under federal regulations. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Its scale suggests it meets standard requirements for such agglomerations. The treated effluent from POCATELLO STP is discharged into the Portneuf River, which flows northward through Pocatello and eventually joins the Snake River near American Falls Reservoir. The Snake River then drains into the Columbia River, which reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Portneuf River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important resource for irrigation and recreation in southeastern Idaho.
Environmental context
POCATELLO STP discharges into the Portneuf River, a tributary of the Snake River within the Columbia River Basin. The Portneuf River flows through agricultural and urban areas before reaching American Falls Reservoir, a key habitat for fish and migratory birds. The downstream Snake River supports several endangered species, including Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, making water quality management critical for regional ecology.
Frequently asked questions
POCATELLO STP is located on Frontage Road in Bannock County, Idaho, United States. It serves the city of Pocatello and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 68,177 people, making it a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Portneuf River, which flows into the Snake River and ultimately the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean.
As a U. S. facility, POCATELLO STP operates under the Clean Water Act and must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, which sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
For a population of this size, secondary treatment is standard under federal regulations. This involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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