Publication Summary

A water quality survey of Wildcat Creek was conducted in August 1986 to assess the effects of McCleary Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent on the receiving environment. Prior to upgrade in 1980-81, wastewater discharge caused violations of state water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, un-ionized ammonia, fecal coliform bacteria, total residual chlorine, and aesthetic values.

A water quality survey of Wildcat Creek was conducted in August 1986 to assess the effects of McCleary Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent on the receiving environment. Prior to upgrade in 1980-81, wastewater discharge caused violations of state water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, un-ionized ammonia, fecal coliform bacteria, total residual chlorine, and aesthetic values. None of these impacts were found at present, despite a 50 percent reduction in receiving water flows. Further, macroinvertebrate community structure improved relative to pre-upgrade conditions. Violations of state temperature standards in1986 were likely the result of illegal discharges by Simpson Timber Company. AT 7Q10 streamflows and plant design capacity, receiving-water-to-effluent dilution ratios would drop from 4:1 to 2.5:1. In the absence of plant upsets, only the temperature standard is expected to be violated under these conditions.