Publication Summary

A low flow receiving water survey was conducted in the vicinity of the Selah wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) during the height of the fruit processing season. The WWTP was performing exceptionally well, and had minimal impact on Selah ditch. However, the ditch had very poor water quality because the upstream receiving water was contaminated with fruit reclamation water from one of the fruit processors. A total maximum daily load analysis indicated that once the reclamation water problem was solved, the ditch would continue to violate Class A standards unless exceptionally high treatment quality of WWTP effluent continued. A habitat assessment was also performed. Several recommendations were made.