W«i«r.Pollution S«ri.«, No. 51
A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
for the
Yakima River Basin
* U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public
-------
A COMPREHENSIVE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAM
for the
Yakima River Basin
Developed by Washington Pollution Control Commission
1953
Adopted by
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
-------
FOREWORD
Our country's development over the past 50 years has been marked by tremendous
progress in many fields. It has made possible great gains Ln the health, comfort, and
well-being of the people. But it has not been without cost. Part of the cost has been the
damage to the Nation's water resources that has resulted from wastes discharged to the
streams by our growing cities and industries. All water uses have been affected--public
water supplies, recreation, agriculture, industry, fish and aquatic life.
In enacting the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in 1948, the Congress declared
that "water pollution has become a matter of grave concern in many areas and its
damaging effects on the public health and national resources are a matter of definite
Federal concern as a menace to national welfare. Abatement must be undertaken in
order to control it. "
The Public Health Service, as part of its responsibilities under this Act, is required
to prepare or adopt, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, State and interstate
water pollution control agencies, and municipalities and industries, comprehensive pro-
grams for the abatement of pollution.
This publication summarizes the "COMPREHENSIVE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
PROGRAM FOR THE YAKIMA RIVER BASIN, " developed by the Washington State Pollu-
tion Control Commission. The program is sound and gives full consideration to the sev-
eral present uses and to the reasonably-anticipated future uses of the waters of the
Yakima River Basin. It provides an equitable balance in the pollution control require-
ments for the various private and public groups concerned.
I am pleased, therefore, in my capacity as Surgeon General of the Public Health
Service, to adopt the program developed by the State of Washington for the Yakima River
Basin, as a comprehensive program which fully meets the requirements of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act.
This program is based on beneficial water uses and related conditions that prevailed
on March 1, 1952. Comprehensive programs for pollution control must necessarily be
flexible. They must allow for growth, development, and changing conditions. Any sig-
nificant changes affecting water quality, such as stream flow, water use, industrial
development, population, etc. , may require changes in the pollution control program.
Obviously the mere adoption of this program will not, in itself, reduce pollution or
improve the usefulness of the waters in the Yakima River Basin. It does provide to the
citizens of the area and to the city officials and industrial leaders, farmers, fishermen,
conservationists, and others an objective plan based on good engineering practice, and '
reflecting sound economics. It is a plan which the public can support, and must support,
if progress is to be made in the abatement of pollution.
Certain additional considerations beyond the mere acceptance of a plan are essential
to its successful execution. The citizens of the areas affected must see that sufficient
resources are provided to the State water pollution control agencies concerned to enable
them to make the technical investigations necessary to aid those responsible for con-
structing pollution abatement works.
We must recognize, too, that in order to be fully effective the plans and programs
of one State must be geared closely to those of adjoining States, since State boundaries
are no barrier to pollution traveling in interstate streams. Above all, no program of
this nature can progress beyond the report stage if its meaning and purpose are not
made clear and understandable to the citizens of the area. In the final analysis they are
the ones who will pay, directly or indirectly, for the pollution abatement works that are
needed.
-------
It is my hope that this program for the Yakima River Basin will be carried through
to completion so that the area may enjoy all the benefits that clean water can provide, in
health and recreational opportunities for the people and in sound growth of industry and
agriculture.
&.
Surgeon General
11
-------
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction v
Discussion 1
Physical Description 1
Hydrology 1
Sources of Pollution 2
Damages to Water Resources 3
Water Uses and Water Quality Objectives 4
Benefits and Costs 5
Comprehensive Program 6
Municipal Requirements . 6
Industrial Requirements 9
Appendix I. Water quality objectives and minimum treatment
requirements (developed by Washington Pollution
Control Commission) 12
Appendix II. Minimum requirements for prevention of industrial
waste pollution (adopted by Washington Pollution
Control Commission; 14
A. Slaughterhouses and meat packing plants 14
B. Vegetable, fruit and fruit juice canneries 14
C. Milk and milk products plants 15
D. Wineries 15
E. Breweries 16
F. Coal and gravel industries 16
G. Beet sugar factories 16
H. Miscellaneous uses of oil 17
I. Logging industry 17
J. Agriculture industry 17
K. New industries 17
Maps
1. Yakima River Basin — general reference map f. 9
2. Yakima River Basin--Sources of municipal and industrial
wastes and pollution abatement needs f, 9
111
-------
INTRODUCTION
This document describes the comprehensive water pollution control program devel-
oped by the Washington Pollution Control Commission for the Yakima River Basin. The
program is set forth in detail in the Pollution Control Commission's report entitled, "A
Comprehensive Pollution Control Program for the Yakima River Basin, " published in
1952. The technical data upon which the program is based are contained in the Commis-
sion's 1951 report entitled, "An Investigation of Pollution in the Yakima River Basin. "
The initial industrial pollution abatement requirements for the program are the
"Minimum Requirements for Prevention of Industrial Waste Pollution, " adopted by the
Pollution Control Council of the Pacific Northwest area and recently incorporated in the
Washington Pollution Control Commission regulations for water pollution abatement.
The Comprehensive Program for the Yakima River Basin was developed upon
completion of studies and investigations of the sources and magnitudes of polluting wastes
discharged into the main river, tributaries, and canals, and of the effects of these wastes
upon the quality of the receiving waters. Prior to the development of the program the
Pollution Control Commission held a meeting in the basin with the mayors and officials
of the communities for the purpose of discussing the pollution problem. At a later date
the Director of the Commission met with these officials and presented the Comprehensive
Program for their consideration. Following this latter meeting the committee, consisting
of city and county officials, industrial representatives, and representatives of various
public spirited organizations, was appointed by the mayor of Yakima to carry forward
the pollution control activities. This united effort on the part of local people to solve their
mutual problem will most certainly expedite the program in this basin.
Considerable progress in the construction and operation of waste treatment facilities
has been made during past years by some communities and industries in the basin. In
order to fully protect the basin's valuable water resources and the health of the people,
however, a comprehensive water pollution program for the entire basin, carried on in an
effective manner, is essential.
v
-------
DISCUSSION
Physical Description
The Yakima River system drains an area of 6, 000 square miles located on the
eastern slope of the Cascade Mountain Range and lower plateau, within Kittitas, Yakima,
Benton, and Klickitat counties of central Washington. From its source in the Cascade
Range near Snoqualmie Pass the river passes through Keechelus Lake, and flows in a
southeasterly direction 200 miles to the Columbia River.
The principal tributaries of the Yakima River are the Naches, Cle Elum, Kachess,
and Teanaway rivers and the Swauk, Wilson, Taneum, Manastash, Wenas, Ahtanum,
Toppenish, and Status creeks. A number of irrigation drains discussed in the basic re-
ports are important contributors to the river flow by their return of irrigation water.
The Yakima Valley is one of the oldest irrigated agricultural areas in the Pacific
Northwest. It contains about two million acres of farm lands, one-quarter of which are
irrigated. In 1950 crops and livestock valued at over 128 million dollars were produced
in the valley.
Hydrology
Precipitation is probably more variable over the watershed of the Yakima River
than in any other area of comparable size draining to the Columbia River. In the
mountainous sections it approaches that falling on the western slopes of the Cascades.
In the lower valley precipitation is small, averaging no more than six inches annually
in places. Much of the run-off, which comes from the mountainous sections, is stored
in reservoirs for use during the irrigation season.
Flows of the Yakima River and its tributaries are almost completely regulated.
Control is exercised through six impounding reservoirs storing a total of over 1, 000,000
acre-feet of water. Water is stored during the winter and spring months and usually re-
leased during the months of April through October. During the storage period the flow
in the main river below Yakima is normally greater than 1, 000 second-feet. Waters
released from the reservoirs are diverted through four major irrigation canals and a
number of smaller canals leading off from the main river. The Main Canal diversion
is located just below the confluence of the Kachess River with the Yakima River near
Easton in the upper valley. From this point to the Roza Canal diversion, about 25
miles below Ellensburg, flows in excess of 2, 000 second-feet are maintained during
most of the irrigation season. Although several hundred second-feet of water are
diverted through the Roza Canal, a substantial flow remains in the river down to the
diversion dams for the Wapato and Sunnyside canals, a few miles below Yakima. During
the period 1926 to 1945 minimum monthly flow during the irrigation season ranged from
20 to 382 second-feet in the river below the Sunnyside diversion dam. About 20 miles
downstream the Main Reservation Drain and Toppenish Creek discharge about 1, 000
second-feet of return flow to the river. Below Toppenish Creek the flow is increased by
additional drainage. At Prosser a power diversion now causes low flows in a two-mile
stretch of the river. The Kennewick Division of the Yakima Project now under con-
struction by the Bureau of Reclamation will create low flows in a 10-mile stretch of the
river below Prosser. The Bureau plans to maintain minimum flows of at least 50 to
200 second-feet in this stretch upon completion of the Kennewick Project.
The Yakima River appears to have only two stretches where critically low flows now
exist or will exist in the future. These are a 20-mile stretch below the diversion for the
Sunnyside Canal and a 10-mile stretch immediately below Prosser.
However, critical conditions exist along some 14 tributary creeks and drainage
ditches below the point of discharge of wastes from a number of cities and industries.
286312 O - 54 - 2 1
-------
These receiving watercourses have average flows of only 3 to 120 second-feet. During
the critical summer months the principal source of flow is return water from irrigation
projects, and is inadequate to provide sufficient dilution.
Sources of Pollution
The estimated 1950 population of the basin was 173, 000, about 41 percent of which
was classed as urban by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce. The
population connected to sewerage systems is estimated to be 81, 150.
The major sources of pollution in the basin include 22 municipalities, institutions
or other population centers, and 33 industrial establishments having separate outlets.
Wastes which are discharged to waters of the basin from the 22 municipalities, institu-
tions and other population centers, and which include the wastes from 31 industries
connected to city sewers, have a population equivalent of 78, 000. Before treatment in
plants at 18 locations, the combined domestic and industrial wastes have a population
equivalent of about 214, 000. Wastes from the 33 industrial establishments with sepa-
rate outlets have a population equivalent of 122, 000. Thus, the total combined wastes
reaching the watercourses have a population equivalent of 200, 000.
Yakima, the largest city in the basin, with a sewered population of 36, 000, plus
an industrial waste load having a population equivalent of 120, 000, discharges, after
primary treatment, wastes with a population equivalent of 50, 000. Nine industries are
connected to the city sewers. The effluent from Yakima's treatment plant enters the
river just a few miles above the Wapato and Sunnyside irrigation canal diversion dams.
Ellensburg, the second largest city, with a sewered population of 7, 150, plus an
industrial waste load having a population equivalent of 26, 000, discharges, after pri-
mary treatment, wastes with a population equivalent of 7, 800 into Wilson Creek about
seven miles above its confluence with the Yakima River. There are three industries
connected to the Ellensburg city sewers. Wilson Creek is estimated to have an average
flow of 120 second-feet during the irrigation season.
Toppenish, with a sewered population of 5, 100, discharges untreated wastes into
the East Toppenish Drain which has an average flow of 55 second-feet during the irriga-
tion season.
The Utah it Idaho Sugar Company plant near Toppenish is the largest contributor of
industrial wastes. The wastes discharged into the Yakima River from this plant have a
population equivalent of 25, 000. These wastes are discharged into the river in the
stretch below the Sunnyside diversion dam. This stretch has extremely low flows dur-
ing the irrigating season. Fortunately, however, this plant is not in operation until
after the irrigation season when the flows in the river are substantial.
Toppenish, Cle Elum and Ronald are the only sewered communities discharging
untreated sewage. The other 19 municipalities, institutions or other sewered popula-
tion centers, have treatment plants. Only ten of these treatment plants, however, pro-
vide adequate sewage treatment. Overloading of plants due to industrial wastes and/or
ground water infiltration or lack of facilities to provide a sufficient degree of treat-
ment, cause the remaining plants to be inadequate. Deficiencies in operation, also,
have been noted in a number of the plants.
Only seven of the 33 industrial establishments with separate outlets have adequate
waste treatment or disposal facilities. An additional 11, however, are, by good house-
keeping practices, complying with the Washington Pollution Control Commission's
minimum requirements for prevention of industrial waste pollution, (see appendix II).
This leaves 15 plants which need to comply with the minimum requirements. Industries
satisfying these minimum requirements, however, have not necessarily fulfilled their
-------
obligations in the matter of waste disposal, as, in some instances, they discharge their
wastes into small streams or sloughs where the pollutional load causes undesirable con-
ditions. These industries will be required to provide facilities for waste prevention and
treatment over and above the minimum requirements.
Sewage wastes discharged by individual property owners in a number of small un-
sewered communities are entering small streams and ditches and causing disagreeable
and insanitary conditions. These communities need both sewers and sewage treatment
plants. Drainage from farm homes, barns, and yards is also entering these small
ditches and sloughs and causing insanitary conditions.
The sources of municipal and industrial wastes and needs for pollution abatement
are shown on map no. 2.
Damages to Water Resources
During the summer of 1951, the Washington Pollution Control Commission con-
ducted a water quality survey in the Yakima River, its tributaries, irrigation canals,
and return flow dutches. The Commission has published the results of this survey in a
report entitled "An Investigation of Pollution in the Yakima River Basin, " copies of
which are obtained from the Commission. A summary of the findings of this survey are
as follows:
1. The Yakima River is being polluted by the discharge of raw and improp-
erly treated sewage, by the discharge of industrial wastes, and by land
erosion. Many of the sources of pollution are, in themselves, small, but
when taken in the aggregate are causing conditions which are damaging to
the extensive uses made of the basin's water resources.
2. The bacteriological conditions of the basin waters are generally poor, but
notably so in the vicinity of Ellensburg, below Yakima, in the Wapato and
Sunnyside irrigation canals, and in the river from Zillah to Prosser.
3. Night-time oxygen conditions were very poor in the East Toppenish Drain,
Wapato Drain No. 2, and Moxee and Selah drains, and were not satisfactory
in the Zillah-Granger section of the river. A marked decrease in dissolved
oxygen occurs during the hours of darkness due to cessation of or reversal
of plant life oxygen activities. Dissolved oxygen conditions are good during
the daylight hours due to the action of algae and other aquatic plants which
produce oxygen by photosynthesis.
4. The concentration of organic and inorganic materials in the water showed
a marked increase progressing downstream from Easton to the river month
at Richland. This change in physical and chemical quality is caused by re-
turn irrigation seepage and by the discharge of municipal and industrial
waste materials.
5. Since water velocities in the main streams are generally high, there are no
significant sludge deposits. The presence of large amounts of aquatic
growths, however, indicates deposition of waste materials in the canals
and ditches.
Damages to the basin's water resources have been recognized by State authorities
since the beginning of the century, and substantial progress has been made in correcting
conditions. However, the job is only partly done. Pollution is still causing serious
damage and interfering with the valuable uses of the waters of the basin.
Studies made by the Washington State Department of Health between 1935 and 1950
indicate that very high rates of enteric diseases have repeatedly occurred in this valley.1
•'•Epidemiology Studies, State of Washington, Department of Health, 1950.
-------
Reductions in enteric disease rates have been made since the construction of sewage
treatment plants in 1941 and 1942. However, only by completing the job for the entire
basin, keeping a continual vigilance on operations, and improving the quality of water
supplies can low rates be attained and maintained.
The higher rate of enteric diseases for Yakima County as found in the studies of the
State Department of Health when compared with rates for the entire State is, at least
partially, attributable to sewage-bearing waters of the Yakima River and its tributaries.
These waters are almost entirely diverted from natural courses to be spread over a
large portion of the land of the basin, where they supply the ground water for a majority
of the shallow wells, are taken from canals to fill domestic water cisterns, and are used
to water thousands of head of livestock and to irrigate and wash vegetable and fruit crops.
Many communities and industries, which formerly depended upon water supplies
from shallow wells have been forced to resort to deep wells. In 1935 all private wells of
the community of Union Gap were found to be simultaneously contaminated. During that
year an outbreak of enteric disease occurred and was believed to have been caused by the
water from these wells. This town, at considerable expense, installed a deep well and a
distribution system. The city of Yakima abandoned the use of a nearby surface supply on
the recommendation of health authorities and now obtains water by an expensive pipe-
line from a distant source. Some communities are experiencing difficulties with high
temperatures, and hydrogen sulphide and other gases in their deep well supplies. The
unsatisfactory quality and quantity of these deep well supplies, together with rapid popu-
lation growth and industrial expansion, may force communities and industries to return
to surface supplies at some future date.
Property values have been impaired by odors and other effects resulting from pol-
lution. The decline in fisheries has been influenced to some degree at least by pollution.
Filamentous growths, stimulated by the presence of organic pollution, clog fish screens
and cause a substantial loss of head in canals. Considerable cost is involved in labor
required to keep screens open. Irrigation return waters exert a pollutional effect on
downstream waters by deteriorating the chemical quality and introducing bacterial con-
tamination and silt.
These and other damages conclusively indicate the need for a comprehensive pol-
lution control program, supported by all of the people living in the basin.
Water Uses and Water Quality Objectives
The primary use of the waters of the Yakima River Basin is for irrigation. The
area irrigated under existing works in 1950 was about a half million acres. An ad-
ditional 56, 000 acres are under development at the present time. The water used to
irrigate these lands has an annual value estimated at more than 75 million dollars.
Without its use, the highly profitable farming, which is the backbone of the valley's
economy, would be impossible.
Approximately 50, 000 people in the cities of Yakima, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Roslyn,
and Easton obtain all or a portion of their water supply from surface tributaries above
present significant sources of pollution. Deep wells are the source for all other com-
munity water supplies. In the highly populated rural valley areas, however, many of
the farmers depend upon shallow wells or cisterns filled from irrigation canals for their
domestic supplies. Industrial plants for the most part obtain water from the communi-
ties or from their own deep-wells.
The upper reaches of the main river andits tributaries are usedas spawning grounds by chi
nook and silver salmon and steelhead trout. Streams in the upper portion of the basin also sup-
port an intensive sports fishery for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Some of the lower stretches of
-------
these streams contain large numbers of bass, crappie and rough fish, as well as trout and
whitefish. The Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the annual value of the migratory
fish at $100, 000 and the sports fish at $300, 000.
Because of high summer temperatures, swimming, boating and other water sports
are very popular. Most of this activity is in the upper mountainous and forested reaches
of the basin, but the main river, its tributaries, irrigation canals and return water ditches
are used for swimming and recreation during the hot weather period.
Since the economy of the basin is primarily dependent upon the growing of irrigated
crops, it is expected that irrigation will continue as the primary use of the basin's water
resources, and, if additional water can be obtained, it will continue to expand. Thepres-
ent rates of population growth and industrial expansion, if continued, will undoubtedly
force municipalities and industries to resort to the treatment of surface waters in order
to obtain adequate water supplies. The city of Yakima is considering a new source of
supply requiring the installation of a modern filtration plant. Additional usage of the val-
ley streams for recreation will result from increased population. The expanded use of
the streams for propagation-of fish is desirable. Pollution abatement and control is the
most economical and desirable means of making possible the expansion of water uses in
the basin and is essential to maintain water of high quality for agricultural crops.
The Washington Pollution Control Commission has developed water quality objectives
for the principal uses of the waters of the Yakima River Basin. These objectives indicate
the minimum treatment requirements for domestic sewage and the quality of water which
should be maintained in order that the waters may be used for: (1) drinking, culinary and
food processing purposes; (2) bathing, swimming and recreation; (3) growth and propaga-
tion of fish and other aquatic life; and (4) agricultural and industrial water supply. The
quality objectives used by the Commission are included in the table in appendix I.
In arriving at the needs for pollution abatement and control, the Commission has
made studies of present and proposed regulated stream flows and the existing quality of
water, and has made determinations as to the degree of treatment required to obtain a
quality of water meeting the objectives of the Commission.
Because of the extensive use of water for irrigation throughout the basin, all sewage
treatment plant effluents should be properly disinfected before discharge to the water-
courses. In the upper portion of the basin where the stretches of river between sources
of pollution are sufficient to assimilate the wastes, a primary degree of treatment will be
sufficient at the present time. In the lower basin from Selah downstream, a greater de-
gree of treatment with disinfection of the effluent is required.
Benefits and Costs
Implementation of the comprehensive pollution control program for the Yakima basin
will bring tangible and intangible benefits to the health and welfare of the people, to
agriculture, and to industry.
The people will benefit through improved water supplies, increased freedom from the
hazard of waterborne diseases, cleaner recreational and bathing waters, increased prop-
erty values, and from the pleasure of living in a clean progressive area. Industry will
benefit through by-product recovery, increased available water supplies for future ex-
pansion, and through improved public relations. Agriculture will benefit through improved
quality of irrigation and rural water supplies.
The cost of the various facilities to carry out the comprehensive program for abate-
ment of municipal pollution is estimated to be $2, 300, 000. Cost of abatement of industrial
pollution cannot be estimated until the possibilities-of by-product recovery and waste
reduction through process changes have been evaluated and the degree of treatment re-
quired has been determined by the Commission.
-------
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
In order to meet the water quality objectives set forth in the foregoing discussion,
the Washington Pollution Control Commission has adopted the following comprehensive
program of water pollution control for the Yakima River Basin. The program includes
all sources of domestic sewage and wastes from industrial processes as well as other
operations which may affect the quality of surface or underground waters.
1. Adequate sewage treatment facilities for all sewered municipalities and both
sewers and treatment plants for several presently unsewered communities.
As most of the water is used for irrigation, disinfection of sewage treatment
plant effluents should be required to prevent bacterial contamination of
receiving streams.
2. The employment of waste prevention methods for all industries, including
those connected to municipal sewerage systems, and treatment or satisfac-
tory disposal of wastes for industries discharging wastes directly to water-
courses. Waste disposal should be a factor to be considered in the choice of
location for new industrial establishments. Prevention, treatment or dispos-
al should be considered in their design. In all cases, the Washington
Pollution Control Commission should be consulted prior to the establishment
of any industry which will have a liquid waste disposal problem.
3. Protection of watershed areas from activities that destroy or damage the
water resources. In connection with logging operations, particularly in the
upper reaches of various tributaries, attention should be given to such items
as the location and construction of logging roads, the disposal of slashings
and other refuse, burning over of areas, and other factors which increase
the rate of runoff, cause erosion, and the silting of the streams. The water-
ways should also be kept free of barriers to the movement of fish. Special
consideration should be given to the control of logging operations and grazing
on watersheds from which domestic and industrial water supplies are or
may be taken. Agricultural agencies have developed programs for farming
and irrigation practices which, if followed, will greatly reduce erosion and
soil losses to ditches and streams. By the use of closed systems and dispos-
al of slags and other mining wastes in such a manner that they will not
drain to enter the streams, these operations can be effectively controlled.
This Comprehensive Water Pollution Control Program encourages the
adoption of these practices by all loggers, farmers, and mine operators, and
recommends full cooperation with the agencies promulgating them.
A listing of specific municipal and industrial requirements included under the
Washington Pollution Control Commission Comprehensive Program for water pollution
control in the Yakima River Basin follows:
Municipal Requirements
Municipality
Population
Remedial measures required
Cle Elum
2,320
A sewage treatment plant and a revamping of the
majdr portion of the sewerage system are needed. The
plant should be of a type which will provide primary
treatment and disinfection of the effluent.
-------
Municipal Requirements—Continued
Municipality
Ellensburg
Grandview
Granger Farm Labor Camp
Moxee City
Ronald
Roslyn
Selah
Sunnyside
Population
7,150
2,1^0
900
560
500
1,740
2,500
4,500
Remedial measures required
Facilities should be provided which, will allow
more adequate chlorine contact time. Consideration
should be given to the relocation of the effluent
line from the present primary plant to discharge
direct to the Yakima River or the installation of
biological treatment of an intermediate degree.
Provision should be made for the segregation of
certain industrial wastes (cannery wastes) from
the sewer system for pre-treatment and lagooning
to reduce the load on the existing treatment
plant. The separate collection and "disposal of
blood and paunch manure by meat packing plants
and the screening of other industrial wastes
should be required. Alterations and additions to
the existing plant, including additional digester
capacity, should be provided as needed after the
above provisions are met. Controlled disinfection
of the plant effluent should be practiced.
Better operation of sedimentation unit to prevent
over-flow of solids to the drain field.
A new sewage treatment plant or extensive
additions to the existing plant to provide
biological treatment of an intermediate degree
and disinfection of the effluent are necessary.
A new treatment plant consisting of a septic
tank and drainfield should be installed.
Studies should be made with the objective of
reducing present high flows to the treatment
facilities. A new sewage treatment plant, or very
substantial additions and alterations to existing
plant, either one to provide biological treatment
of an intermediate degree and disinfection of the
effluent, are necessary.
Better control should be given to disinfection of
sewage treatment plant effluent and more time for
operation of municipal and industrial waste treat-
ment facilities. Further studies may indicate
additional treatment for the industrial waste.
The industrial waste problem should be studied
with the objective of reducing the load from
industry now handled at the treatment plant.
Initiate the program necessary to reduce this
industrial load to within the limits of the
capacity of the plant or increase the capacity of
the plant.
-------
Municipal Requirements—Continued
Municipality
Topppnish
Union Gap and
South Yakima
Wapato
Yakima
Zillaii
Population
5,100
2,670
3,180
38,000
970
!
Remedial measures required
A sewage treatment plant and certain needed
improvements to the sewerage system to relieve the
present high flows are essential. The plant should
incorporate facilities which will provide
biological treatment of an intermediate degree
and disinfection of the effluent.
Alterations and repairs to the present sewerage
systems are needed to reduce to a practical limit
the presently high rate of infiltration of ground
water. This should "be followed by such additions
to the sewage treatment plant, if necessary, to
provide adequate capacity for the flow received.
Controlled disinfection of the sewage treatment
plant effluent should be practiced.
New treatment plant or extensive alterations and
additions to existing primary treatment plant to
provide facilities for biological treatment of an
intermediate degree and disinfection of the
effluent are necessary.
Disinfection of sewage treatment plant effluent is
essential. Consideration should be given to pro-
viding facilities for additional treatment in the
form of biological treatment of an intermediate
degree.
Additions or alterations to existing activated
sludge plant are needed to provide adequate
capacity. Controlled disinfection of the effluent
should be practiced.
All communities presently without sewerage systems should provide sewage treatment
facilities at the same time the sewerage system is constructed. The major communities
without sewer systems are:
Easton Harrah
South Cle Elum Mabton
Tieton Benton City
8
-------
VICINITY MAP
LEGEND
^.^T UICK1TAT /— COUNTY
YAKIMA RIVER BASIN
GENERAL REFERENCE MAP
US DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
Public Meoltti 5er«i«
DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
-------
-^ \
-ss: .-SSL. ^
VICINITY MAP
SCALE 11 * . •
TREATMENT NE£D&
MUNICIPAL
if NEW PLANT
fil REPLACCMCMT, EMuUtGEMENT. OR ADDITIONS
I WENT tN C-PEMTION OR RCDLKTIOM Of INDUSTRIAL WASTE
t& StWERS HHD TREATMENT l>t*NT
EX4STWG THEATMENT ADEQUATE
(NOUS TRIAL
OTHER WTISFACT1JWV OrSPOS»L FACILITIES
I - H E«ISTlRB DISPOSAL FACll. ITIES ADEOIMTE
-•
TAKIMA RIVER BASIN
SOURCES OF MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES
AND POLLUTION ABATEMENT NEEDS
US D6FI OF HEALTH, EDUCATION.a WELFARE
Public H«om Strvice
DmlSIWI OF W1TER POLLUTIOK COkTROl.
-------
Industrial Requirements
The following industries should provide facilities to comply with the "Minimum
Requirements for Prevention of Industrial Waste Pollution" (see appendix II}, adopted
by the Washington Pollution Control Commission, and/or in addition where needed
should provide connections to municipal sewers or other facilities for treatment or
disposal of liquid wastes, whichever is appropriate in each specific case:
Name
Location
Type of waste
Blue Mountain Cannery - Ellensburg
California Packing Company Toppenish
Cascade Lumber Company Yakima
Cascade Packing Company Ellensburg
Charbonneau Packing Company Selah
Gibson Packing Company. Yakima
Hall Packing Company do
Hanses Packing Company do
H & H Packing Company Union Gap
Kelley-Farquhar & Company do
Lunds Dairy Farms Cle Elum
Midstate Packing Company Toppenish
Naches Packing Company Naches
Owens Packing Company Cle Elum
Rhinehold Packing Company Granger
Robbins Packing Company Ellensburg
Schaake Packing Company do
Speas Company Yakima
Stokely's Foods, Inc Zillah
Sunnyside Rendering Company • Sunnyside
U & I Sugar Company Toppenish
Valley Evaporation Company Yakima
Wapato Packing Company Wapato
Washington Distillers Selah
Yakima County Horticultural Union Yakima
Yakima Valley Bravery - Selah
Cannery
Do.
Sawmill
Meat products
Cannery
Meat products
Do.
Do.
Do.
Cannery
Milk products
Meat products
Do.
Do.
Cannery
Meat products
Do.
Vinegar
Cannery
Meat scraps
Beet sugar
Apple dehydrating
Cannery
Winery
Cannery
Brewery
-------
APPENDIXES
-------
Appendix I
W&ter quality objectives and minimum treatment requirements (developed by the Washington Pollution Control Commission for the YaMma River Basin)
Water quality ^H^M^^
Water* uses MM^H^B
A. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, , and food processing;
Without treatment other than
simple disinfection and re-
moval of naturally present
impurities.
B. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, and food processing:
With treatment equal to co-
agulation, sedimentation,
filtration, disinfection and
any additional treatment
necessary for removing natu-
rally present impurities.
C. Bathing, swimming and recre-
ation
Note: When waters are used
for recreational purposes
such as fishing & boating,
exclusive of "bathing & swim-
ming, the number "1000" may
be substituted for "240" in
statement of coliform objec-
tive.
D. Growth and propagation of
fish, shellfish and other
aquatic life
E, Agricultural and industrial
water supply:
Without treatment except for
the removal of natural Im-
purities to meet special
quality requirements, other
than those classified under
"A" above.
Note: Permissible
limits for total concentra-
tion percent sodium, boron.
chlorides, and sulphates to
receive further study. Sug-
gested value for percent
sodium Is less than 40. Per-
cent sodium means the ratio
of sodium to total cations
expressed in equivalent
weights calculated from the
formula
Na X 100/Ne + K + Ca + Mg
when Na, Ca, and Mg are all
expressed in equivalents.
Water quality objectives, applicable to receiving waters,
for salt and fresh surface waters and underground waters
Organisms of the
coliform group
Most probable number coli-
form bacterial content of
a representative number
of samples should average
less than 50 per 100 ml.
in any month.
M.P.N. coliform bacterial
content of a representa-
tive number of samples
should average less than
2,000 per 100 ml. and
should not exceed this
number in more than 20
percent of samples
examined in any month when
associated with domestic
sewage.
M.P.N. coliform bacterial
content of a representa-
tive number of samples
should average less than
2-40 per 100 ml. and should
not exceed this number in
more than 20 percent of
samples examined when as-
sociated with domestic
sewage.*
M.P.N. conform bacterial
content of a representa-
tive number of samples
should not have a median
concentration greater than
70 per 100 ml. In waters
used for the growth &
propagation of shellfish.
Floating, suspended and
settleable solids and
sludge deposits
None attributable to sewage, in-
dustrial wastes or other wastes
or which, after reasonable di-
lution & mixture with receiving
waters interfere with the best
use of these waters for the pur-
pose indicated.
flame as for use "A11 above.
Same as for use "A" above.
Same as for use "A" above.
Same as for use "A" above.
Taate or odor pro-
ducing substances
None attributable to sewage,
Industrial wastes, or other
wastes.
None attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other
wastes which, after reasonable
dilution 4 mixture, will in-
crease the threshold odor num-
ber above eight (6).
None attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other
wastes which, after reasonable
dilution £ mixture, will in-
terfere with the best use of
these waters for the purpose
indicated.
None attributable to sewage,
industrial wastes, or other
wastes which will interfere
with the marketability or
propagation of recreational
or commercial fish, shellfish.
or other edible aquatic forms.
None attributable to sewage.
Industrial wastes, or other
wastes which will adversely
affect the marketability of
agricultural or industrial
produce.
Dissolved
oxygen
Greater than
five (5)
parts per
million
except for
underground
waters.
Greater than
five (5) parts
per million
except for
underground
waters.
Greater than
five (5) parts
per million.
Greater than six
(6) parts per
million.
Greater than
three (3) parts
per million.
PH
Hydrogen
ion concen-
tration
expressed
as pH
should
be main-
tained be-
tween 6.5
& 8.5
Same as for
use "A"
above .
Same as for
use "A"
above .
Same as for
use "A"
above .
Hydrogen
ion concen-
tration ex-
pressed as
pH should
be main-
tained be-
tween 6,0
& 9.5
*See note under "C" above.
12
-------
Water quality objectives and minimum treatment requirements (developed by the Washington Pollution Control Commission for the Taklma River Basin)--Continued
Water USCSMMM
A. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, and food processing:
Without treatment other than
simple disinfection and re-
moval of naturally preaent
impurities.
B. Water supply, drinking, cu-
linary, and food processing:
With treatment equal to co-
agulation, oed imentation,
filtration, disinfection and
any additional treatment
necessary for removing natu-
rally present impurities.
C. Bathing, swimming and recre-
ation
Note: When waters are used
for recreational purposes
such as fishing & boating,
exclusive of bathing & swim-
ming, the number "1000" may
be substituted for "240" In
statement of collform objec-
tive.
D. Growth and propagation of
fish, shellfish and other
aquatic life.
E. Agricultural and Industrial
water supply;
Without treatment except for
the removal of natural im-
purities to meet special
quality requirements, other
than those classified under
"A" above.
Note: Permissible
limits for total concentra-
tion percent sodium, boron,
chlorides, and sulphates to
receive further study. Sug-
gested value for percent
sodium is leas than 40. Per-
cent sodium means the ratio
of sodium to total cations
expressed In equivalent
weights calculated from the
formula
Na X 100/Na + K + Ca + Mg
when Ma, Ca, and Mg are all
expressed in equivalents.
Water quality objectives, applicable to receiving waters,
for salt and fresh surface waters and underground waters
Toxic, colored, or
other deleterious
substances
None alone or In combina-
tion with other substances
or wastes in sufficient
amounts or of such nature
as to make receiving water
unsafe or unsuitable for
use indicated (U.S.P.H.S.
STDE . ) .
Same as for use "A" above.
Same as for use "A" above.
None alone or in combina-
tion with other substances
or wastes in sufficient
amount or of such charac-
ter as to make receiving
waters unsafe or unsuit-
able for use indicated.
Same as for use "A" above.
Phenolic
compounds
Leas than five (5) parts per
billion.
Less than five (5) parts per
billion.
Less than 25 parts per bil-
lion or none in sufficient
amounts such as to Impart a
residual taste to recrea-
tional or commercial fish,
shellfish, or other aquatic
forms.
Same as for uae "C" above.
None in sufficient quantity
as to make receiving water
unsuitable for use indicated.
Oil
None.
None alone or in
combination with
other substances
or wastes as to
make receiving
water unfit or
unsafe for the
use indicated.
Same as for use
"B" above.
Same as for use
"B" above.
Same as for use
11 B" above.
High
temperature
wastes
Not in sufficient
quantities alone or in
combination with other
wastes to Interfere
with the use indi-
cated.
Same as for use "A"
above.
Same as for use "A"
above .
Not in sufficient
quantity as to in-
crease the temperature
of the receiving water
beyond that optimum
for the normal aquatic
life of the specific
water.
Same as for use "A"
above •
Minimum treatment
requirements for
domestic sewage
'Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
Primary treatment and
effective disinfection.
Primary treatment for
all uses under this
group but disinfection
required in addition
only if discharged into
waters used for the
growth &. propagation of
shellfish, either com-
mercial or recrea-
tional. •
Prlnary treatment and
effective disinfection.
13
-------
Appendix II
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE POLLUTION
Adopted by the Washington Pollution Control Commission
A. Slaughterhouses and Meat Packing Plants
All slaughterhouses and meat packing plants should provide the necessary facilities to
conform to the following minimum requirements whether or not the plant is connected to
a municipal sewer system:
1. Yards and holding pens shall be dry cleaned before washing down.
2. Kill blood shall be separately collected and the blood thoroughly squeegeed
from the floor into the collection tank. The disposal, or utilization, of the
blood thus collected will depend upon local facilities, but must be accom-
plished in a manner which conforms to sanitation regulations.
3. Paunch manure and hog stomach contents shall be collected separately and
used as fertilizer, land-fill or in any other satisfactory manner. A fine
screen is recommended wherever its installation is feasible.
4. Fleshings, grease particles and other solid material shall be collected by dry
cleaning of floors and screening of wastes.
5. Adequate grease recovery basins shall be installed on drain lines from by-
product processing rooms. These traps shall be skimmed and cleaned at
least once each day. (Note: In the larger plants it is recommended that
small basins be located wherever high grade greases can be recovered in
significant quantity and that a main basin be installed on the main drain line.
Wastes not containing grease should be by-passed around the basin.)
Plants should connect with the respective municipal sewer systems where feasible in
order that the added treatment with municipal sewage will be provided. The two plants in
Grandview are presently connected to the city system. For those connected or where a
connection is not feasible, septic tanks and drain fields for domestic sewage and appro-
priate treatment facilities for washings and other process waste waters should be pro-
vided. Plans for these facilities should be submitted to the Pollution Control Commission
prior to construction.
B. Vegetable, Fruit and Fruit Juice Canneries
All canneries should provide the necessary facilities to comply with the following
minimum requirements whether or not the plant is connected to a municipal sewer system:
1. Vegetable and fruit canneries (unless other arrangements are made with this
Commission) shall provide an efficient screen for the removal of skins,
seeds, pomace, culls, discarded product and other suspended material from
the wastes from the washing, sorting, or other canning processes. This
screen should be at least 20-mesh, U. S. Standard gage, and may be of the
vibrating, rotary or any other effective type. It shall be located on the main
outlet sewer line or lines from the cannery in such a way that all waste
waters will pass through the screen except cooling condenser or other clean
waters. The latter may be by-passed around the screen or discharged
through a separate outlet. Prior to the installation of the screen a plan
drawing of the facility shall be submitted to the Pollution Control Commis-
sion for approval together with data as to capacity.
2. Screenings and other solid material removed from the product during the
cannery operations shall be disposed of in a manner which will assure that
it will not enter a State water.
14
-------
Because large canneries have the effect of overloading -municipal treatment plants,
especially in small communities, efforts should be directed toward segregating these
wastes from the municipal system and providing other means of disposal. Operations of
these canneries are seasonal (from six weeks to three or four months) and in many cases
the wastes can be disposed of by irrigation or lagooning.
All canneries and any new canneries should, in addition to adequate screening:
1. Segregate cooling and other clean waters for separate discharge to the
waterways of the basin or to storm drains if such are available.
2. Provide for the recirculation of process waters within the cannery to reduce
to a practical limit the quantity of waste discharged.
3. Provide for the lagooning of the waste and for use of the water for irrigation.
The lagoons should be constructed according to the recommendations of the
National Cannery Association (Bulletin No. 23).
4. In event conditions are such that lagooning or irrigation is not possible or
practical, arrangements should be made for the further treatment of the
screened waste through conferences with the staff of the Pollution Control
Commission.
C. Milk and Milk Products Plants
All milk bottling plants and plants manufacturing milk products should provide the
necessary equipment and facilities to conform to the following minimum requirements
whether or not the plant drains are connected to a municipal sewer system;
1. Whole milk, skim milk, buttermilk, whey, condensed milk products, dried
milk products or spoiled milk or milk products shall not be dumped or
otherwise allowed to enter a drain line which leads, either directly or in-
directly, to a State water.
Z. Mechanical can washers, both straight-line or rotary, shall be equipped
with a drip collector and the drip milk collected and disposed of in a man-
ner which conforms to sanitation regulations.
3. Milk or milk products left in sanitary lines, tanks and equipment before
washing shall be drained into suitable containers and disposed of in a satis-
factory manner as directed above. It is recommended that these lines
and equipment be installed to slope slightly to the point of collection.
4. Leaks in pumps, pipe lines and other equipment handling milk or milk prod-
ucts shall be repaired as rapidly as possible.
5. Accidental spillage shall be reduced to a minimum by providing appropriate
alarms or automatic equipment to prevent such accidents and by proper in-
struction to personnel,
D. Wineries
All wineries should conform to the following minimum requirements as they apply to
the specific industry:
1. Pomace which is a garbage-like material shall not be allowed to enter the
liquid waste waters. If disposed of on land, the location of the disposal field
shall be such that seepage water from the pile will not enter a surface water
and that flood waters will not carry the material into public waters. Preven-
tion of ground water contamination in the area must be also considered in the
location of the field.
2. The major portion of the lees shall be separated and disposed of along with
the pomace unless arrangements are made by agreement with this office and
the respective municipal officials for disposal in a municipal sewage system
15
-------
and treatment plant.
-------
H. Miscellaneous Uses of Oil
The following minimum requirements should be met by all users of oil:
10 Tankers, railroad tank cars, tank trucks or other facilities used for loading,
unloading, and transportation of oil shall be equipped for the collection of the
drip from hose or other connections and the excess oil contained in hose or
pipe lines, wherever there is a possibility that this oil will find its way,
either directly or indirectly, into a body of water. Provision shall be made
also for catching accidental spills and these facilities shall be of such a ca-
pacity as to hold the maximum quantity of oil possible from any one spill.
Z. Roundhouses shall be provided with facilities for the collection of all oil and
oil-and-water mixtures and an adequate separator shall be installed for the
separation and recovery of both light and heavy oils from these mixtures.
These separators shall be operated in such a manner as to assure their maxi-
mum efficiency.
3. Wherever practical, all waste oils and lubricants from industrial operations
should be collected in containers for proper disposal. Oil emulsions used for
machine cutting and tool cutting should be collected, treated and reused
wherever possible. In event these emulsions are discarded, the emulsion
must be broken down and the oil recovered for proper disposal. The general
wastes from processes, if they contain oil, must first be passed through an
adequate and well-operated oil separator before being discharged into the
waters of the State.
4. Service stations with direct outlets to a body of water shall not discard oil to
that water or so dispose of it in such a manner that it will be washed into the
waters by run-off.
5. Officials of cities, towns and sewer districts are directly responsible for the
control of oil discharged from their respective sewerage systems. It is
strongly urged that ordinances be passed which will make it unlawful to dump
or otherwise discharge oil into these sewer systems.
6. Since it is usually desirable to dispose of waste or recovered oil by burning,
this should be accomplished with due regard to local or other regulations and
without the production of nuisances or hazards. The location of disposal
points shall be such as to eliminate any possible pollution of either surface or
underground waters.
I. Logging Industry
All logging operations, especially in the upper reaches of the various tributaries,
should be conducted in such a manner as to minimize the effects of these operations on
the uses of these waters. Attention should be given to such items as the location, and
construction of logging roads, the disposal of slashings and other refuse, burning-over
of areas, and other factors which increase the rate of run-off, cause erosion, and the
silting of the streams. The waterways should be kept free of barriers to the movement
of fish. Special attention should be given to control of logging operations in watersheds
from which domestic and industrial supplies are or may be taken.
J. Agriculture Industry
Irrigation practices should be controlled to minimize erosion and the loss of soil
to ditches and streams.
K. New Industries
Waste disposal should be considered as one of the major factors in the location of
new industries. Those considering the establishment or development of new industries
where the disposal of a liquid waste is involved should contact the Pollution Control
Commission prior to the final planning stage.
17
'U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: O—1954
------- |