Overview
Walker STP serves approximately 8,485 residents in Walker, Louisiana. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for municipal wastewater discharges.
Walker STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Walker, Livingston Parish, Louisiana. It serves a population of about 8,485 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast. However, as a U.S. facility of this scale, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Such permits typically mandate secondary treatment as a minimum standard for municipal plants. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, a large estuarine system connected to the Gulf of Mexico. The basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological and recreational resource for the region.
Environmental context
Walker STP discharges into tributaries of the Tickfaw River, which flows into Lake Maurepas and then Lake Pontchartrain, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is a large estuarine system that supports diverse fish, shellfish, and bird populations. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia, making effective treatment crucial for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.
Frequently asked questions
Walker STP is located in Walker, Livingston Parish, Louisiana, United States.
Walker STP serves approximately 8,485 residents.
Walker STP discharges treated effluent into local waterways that are part of the Tickfaw River watershed, which flows into Lake Maurepas and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.
Walker STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires municipal wastewater treatment plants to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. These permits set effluent limits and monitoring requirements to protect water quality.
In the United States, municipal wastewater treatment plants serving populations of this size are typically required to provide at least secondary treatment, which removes about 85% of organic matter and suspended solids. Some plants may also incorporate additional nutrient removal depending on local water quality standards.
Nearby plants