Overview
Shady Cove STP is an advanced wastewater treatment plant serving 2,760 people in Shady Cove, Oregon. It discharges 764.65 million gallons annually into the Rogue River basin.
Shady Cove STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Rogue River Drive in Shady Cove, Oregon, serving a population of approximately 2,760 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all point source discharges. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring a high level of pollutant removal before discharge. With a designed capacity of 2,627.07 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 764.65 million gallons per year, the facility operates well within its capacity, indicating effective management of local wastewater flows. The treated effluent is discharged into the Rogue River basin, which flows westward through the Cascade Range and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Rogue River is a vital ecological corridor supporting diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead trout, making the plant's advanced treatment critical for protecting downstream water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Rogue River, a major waterway in southern Oregon that flows through the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and empties into the Pacific Ocean near Gold Beach. The river supports a rich ecosystem, including threatened fish species such as coho salmon and steelhead, and provides habitat for migratory birds. Advanced treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive watershed.
Frequently asked questions
Shady Cove STP is located on Rogue River Drive in Shady Cove, Jackson County, Oregon, United States.
The plant serves a population of approximately 2,760 residents in the Shady Cove area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Rogue River basin, which flows to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
For small communities in the U.S., advanced treatment is often employed to meet stringent water quality standards, especially when discharging into sensitive waters like the Rogue River.
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