RUFUS STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rufus, Oregon

RUFUS STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Rufus, Oregon, a small community in Sherman County along the Columbia River. The plant serves a population of 270 and is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 174.13 million gallons per year and an annual discharge volume of 155.20 million gallons, the plant operates at a high utilization rate. As a small facility, it is subject to state-level NPDES permitting through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the Columbia River basin, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River is a major ecological and economic resource, supporting salmon runs and diverse aquatic life. The plant's location inland and its secondary treatment level help protect downstream water quality in this sensitive river system.

RUFUS STP discharges into the Columbia River watershed, which ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River is a vital ecosystem supporting endangered salmon species and providing habitat for numerous fish and wildlife. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping maintain water quality in this important river system.