Westfir STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Westfir, Oregon

Westfir STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Westfir, Lane County, Oregon. The plant serves a small population of 160 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. As a small-scale facility, it plays a vital role in protecting local water resources in the Pacific Northwest region. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all point source discharges. Secondary treatment is the standard for municipal plants, ensuring removal of biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 113.56 megaliters, matching its annual discharge volume, indicating full utilization of its treatment capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Willamette River basin, a major tributary of the Columbia River. The Willamette River supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead trout, and is an important ecological corridor in Oregon. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Willamette River, which flows north through Oregon's Willamette Valley before joining the Columbia River near Portland. The Willamette River basin supports critical habitats for salmonids and other native fish species. Downstream waters are used for recreation, irrigation, and drinking water, making effective wastewater treatment essential for protecting public health and aquatic ecosystems.