Overview
Alturas WWTP serves approximately 5,752 people in Modoc County, California. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater facilities.
Alturas WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Modoc County, California, serving a population of about 5,752 residents. The plant is situated in a rural inland area of northeastern California, near the city of Alturas. As a publicly owned treatment works, it plays a key role in managing local wastewater for the community. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board, governs discharge limits and monitoring requirements to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged to a local water body, likely the Pit River or a tributary, which flows into the Sacramento River system and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean via San Francisco Bay. The surrounding watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the larger Klamath Basin ecoregion, known for its sensitive habitats and migratory bird corridors.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Pit River watershed, which drains into the Sacramento River and eventually the Pacific Ocean via the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This region supports cold-water fisheries, including trout and salmon species, and provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway. The area's semi-arid climate and seasonal water flows make maintaining water quality essential for downstream ecosystems and agricultural uses.
Frequently asked questions
Alturas WWTP is located on North West Street in Modoc County, California, near the city of Alturas in the northeastern part of the state.
Alturas WWTP serves approximately 5,752 residents in the Modoc County area.
The plant discharges treated effluent to a local water body, likely the Pit River or a tributary, which flows into the Sacramento River system and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean.
Alturas WWTP operates under the US Clean Water Act, with discharge permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board through the NPDES program.
For a plant serving around 5,800 people, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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