Overview
Alvarado WWTF in Brisbane, California serves approximately 350,000 people. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and NPDES permit program.
Alvarado WWTF is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Brisbane, California, serving a population of about 350,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The plant is situated near the Bayshore Boulevard corridor, close to the San Francisco Bay. Operating under the US Clean Water Act, the plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. For a facility of this scale, advanced secondary or tertiary treatment is typically required to protect sensitive receiving waters. The plant discharges treated effluent into the San Francisco Bay, a large estuary that connects to the Pacific Ocean through the Golden Gate. The Bay supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, birds, and marine mammals, and is an important ecological and economic resource for the region.
Environmental context
The Alvarado WWTF discharges into the San Francisco Bay, a major estuary that receives freshwater from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and drains to the Pacific Ocean. The Bay supports a rich ecosystem, including migratory birds, fish species, and marine mammals. Protecting water quality is critical for the health of this urbanized but ecologically sensitive water body.
Frequently asked questions
Alvarado WWTF is located in Brisbane, California, in San Mateo County, near the San Francisco Bay.
The plant serves approximately 350,000 people in the Brisbane area and surrounding communities.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the San Francisco Bay, which connects to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
For a plant of this size discharging to a sensitive estuary like San Francisco Bay, advanced secondary or tertiary treatment is typically required to meet stringent nutrient and pollutant limits.
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