Overview
ATWATER WWTF serves approximately 27,205 residents in Atwater, California. The plant operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations, managing municipal wastewater for this inland community.
ATWATER WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 501 Drakeley Avenue in Atwater, California, within Merced County. Serving a population of around 27,205, the plant is part of the region's essential water infrastructure, handling domestic wastewater from the city and surrounding areas. As a U.S. facility, ATWATER WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits and monitoring requirements. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the San Joaquin River system, a major tributary of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This Delta is a critical ecological and water supply hub for California, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and urban use downstream.
Environmental context
ATWATER WWTF discharges into the San Joaquin River watershed, which flows through California's Central Valley before reaching the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. The Delta is a vital estuarine ecosystem supporting salmon, sturgeon, and migratory birds. Nutrient and pollutant loads from wastewater must be carefully managed to protect water quality in this sensitive downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
ATWATER WWTF is located at 501 Drakeley Avenue in Atwater, California, within Merced County in the United States.
ATWATER WWTF serves approximately 27,205 residents in the city of Atwater and surrounding areas.
ATWATER WWTF discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the San Joaquin River system, part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.
ATWATER WWTF operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for wastewater discharges. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in receiving waters.
For a population of about 27,000, U.S. regulations typically mandate secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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