Overview
Preston S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Preston, Idaho, serving approximately 5,200 people. It operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, with NPDES permitting through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
Preston S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Preston, Idaho, a city in Franklin County near the Utah border. The plant serves a population of about 5,200 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category for US wastewater infrastructure. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, and discharge permits specify effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other pollutants to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Bear River watershed, which flows into the Great Salt Lake. This region is part of the semi-arid Intermountain West, where water resources are critical for agriculture and wildlife. The Bear River supports diverse aquatic life and provides habitat for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters a tributary of the Bear River, which flows through Idaho and Utah before terminating in the Great Salt Lake. This watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its role in supporting migratory waterfowl and endemic fish species. The semi-arid climate means that maintaining water quality in the Bear River is essential for downstream agricultural use and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Preston S_T Facility is located in Preston, Idaho, United States, near US Highway 91 in Franklin County.
The plant serves approximately 5,200 people, making it a small-to-medium sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local water body that drains into the Bear River watershed, ultimately reaching the Great Salt Lake.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through an NPDES permit issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, which sets effluent limits for pollutants.
For small-to-medium agglomerations in the US, secondary treatment is standard, involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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