TACOMA 3 STP NORTH - Tacoma, Washington Wastewater Treatment Plant

TACOMA 3 STP NORTH is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Tacoma, Washington, serving an estimated population of 55,050. The plant is situated in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, an area characterized by a marine climate and significant ecological resources. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a facility sized for the community's needs. Compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits is standard for such plants, ensuring treated effluent meets water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches Puget Sound, a major estuary and part of the Salish Sea. This water body supports diverse marine life, including salmon, orcas, and shellfish, and is ecologically sensitive to nutrient and pollutant inputs. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect coastal and marine environments.

The plant discharges into the Puget Sound watershed, which drains into the Salish Sea and eventually the Pacific Ocean. Puget Sound is a biologically rich estuary that supports salmon runs, marine mammals, and shellfish beds. The region's high rainfall and urban runoff necessitate robust wastewater treatment to prevent eutrophication and protect aquatic habitats.