Overview
Westside Treatment Facility serves Vancouver, Washington, treating wastewater for approximately 96,426 residents. The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program.
The Westside Treatment Facility is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Vancouver, Washington, within Clark County. It serves a population of around 96,426 people, placing it in the medium-to-large agglomeration category for U. S. facilities. As a U. S. plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. For a plant serving nearly 100,000 people, secondary treatment is the federal minimum, though many facilities of this size employ advanced treatment to meet local water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Columbia River basin, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon runs, and is a critical waterway for the Pacific Northwest. The plant's operations are important for protecting downstream water quality and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The Westside Treatment Facility discharges into the Columbia River, which flows westward to the Pacific Ocean. The lower Columbia River supports critical habitats for salmon, steelhead, and other migratory fish species. Protecting water quality in this reach is essential for maintaining the ecological integrity of the river and its estuary.
Frequently asked questions
The Westside Treatment Facility is located in Vancouver, Washington, in Clark County, near the Columbia River.
The plant serves approximately 96,426 people in the Vancouver area.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Columbia River, which flows to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology, which sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is the federal minimum, but many facilities in sensitive watersheds like the Columbia River employ advanced treatment to meet stringent state standards.
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