White Bird Sewage Treatment System - Idaho County, Idaho Wastewater Treatment

The White Bird Sewage Treatment System is a municipal wastewater facility located in Idaho County, Idaho, United States. It serves a small population of 91 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community along US 95. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small-scale systems under the US Clean Water Act. Secondary treatment involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 113.56 units, with an actual discharge volume of 22.71 units, indicating operational headroom. As a US facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Salmon River or Snake River basin, which ultimately drains to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. The plant's inland location and small scale minimize its environmental footprint, but proper treatment is essential to safeguard local aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into a local water body within the Salmon River watershed, a major tributary of the Snake River. The Snake River flows into the Columbia River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean. This region supports diverse aquatic life, including salmon and steelhead, making water quality protection critical for downstream habitats.