Washtucna S_T Facility - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Washtucna, Washington

The Washtucna S_T Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Washtucna, a small town in Adams County, Washington, United States. Serving a population of 205, this plant is classified as a small-scale facility designed to meet the community's wastewater treatment needs. The plant is situated in the rural Palouse region, an area characterized by agricultural activity and rolling hills. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 189.27 cubic meters per day, matching its current discharge volume, indicating full utilization. As a small facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Palouse River, a tributary of the Snake River, which ultimately flows into the Columbia River and then the Pacific Ocean. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the region's water resources from nutrient pollution and pathogens, supporting both agricultural irrigation and aquatic habitats in the semi-arid environment.

The plant's discharge enters the Palouse River watershed, which flows through agricultural lands before joining the Snake River. The Snake River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean. The region supports diverse aquatic life, including salmonid species that rely on clean water for spawning. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic loading and nutrient inputs, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream water bodies.