Overview
Puyallup STP serves approximately 37,240 people in Waller, Washington. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge into the Puyallup River watershed.
Puyallup STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Waller, Washington, serving a population of about 37,240. The facility is part of the region's infrastructure managed by local authorities, treating wastewater from residential and commercial sources in the Puyallup area. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized to handle the current service population. The treated effluent is discharged into the Puyallup River watershed, which flows into Commencement Bay and ultimately the Puget Sound. This water body supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon runs, and the plant's operations are critical for protecting downstream water quality and marine habitats.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Puyallup River, which flows into Commencement Bay in Puget Sound. This estuarine environment supports critical salmonid populations and diverse marine species. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its role as a migratory corridor for Pacific salmon and other aquatic organisms, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Puyallup STP is located at 5712 79th Avenue Court East, Waller, Washington, in Pierce County, United States.
The plant serves approximately 37,240 people in the Waller and Puyallup areas.
The treated effluent from Puyallup STP is discharged into the Puyallup River, which flows into Commencement Bay and then Puget Sound.
Puyallup STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires municipal wastewater treatment plants to meet secondary treatment standards. The plant's discharge is regulated by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like this, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. This typically involves biological treatment processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring the effluent meets water quality standards before discharge.
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