Overview
Vacherie STP serves the Feitel area in St. James Parish, Louisiana, treating wastewater for approximately 6,237 residents. The plant discharges into the Mississippi River, a major waterway that flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
Vacherie STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Feitel, Louisiana, within St. James Parish. It serves a population of about 6,237 people, placing it in the small to medium agglomeration category under U.S. regulatory frameworks. The plant is situated along the Mississippi River Trail, reflecting its proximity to the river. As a U.S. facility, Vacherie STP operates under the Clean Water Act, administered by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment processes to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating the plant's ability to handle the community's wastewater flow. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mississippi River, which is the largest river in North America and drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This discharge contributes to the river's flow and must comply with water quality standards to protect downstream ecosystems, including the Mississippi River Delta and coastal wetlands. The plant plays a key role in maintaining local water quality and public health.
Environmental context
Vacherie STP discharges into the Mississippi River, which flows south through Louisiana and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The lower Mississippi River supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical migratory corridor for birds and fish. The river's delta and coastal wetlands are ecologically sensitive areas that depend on freshwater and nutrient inputs, making proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and habitat degradation.
Frequently asked questions
Vacherie STP is located in Feitel, Louisiana, in St. James Parish, along the Mississippi River Trail.
Vacherie STP serves approximately 6,237 residents in the Feitel area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Mississippi River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
Vacherie STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
Plants of this size in the U.S. typically use secondary treatment processes, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet federal and state water quality standards.
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