Overview
Benicia WWTF serves approximately 13,682 residents in Benicia, California. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day.
Benicia WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Benicia, Solano County, California. It serves a population of about 13,682 people, classifying it as a small to medium-sized plant. The facility is situated near the Carquinez Strait, which connects the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to San Francisco Bay. As a U.S. plant, Benicia WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment to meet federal and state standards. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating the plant's ability to handle average daily flows. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into the Carquinez Strait, a tidal strait that flows into San Francisco Bay and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. This water body supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as salmon and sturgeon, and is part of a critical estuarine ecosystem. The plant's operations are important for protecting water quality in this sensitive environment.
Environmental context
Benicia WWTF discharges into the Carquinez Strait, which connects the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to San Francisco Bay. This estuarine environment supports a rich diversity of fish, birds, and marine mammals, including several species of conservation concern. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent can influence coastal water quality, particularly during low-flow conditions. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient loading and protect downstream habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Benicia WWTF is located at East 5th Street in Benicia, Solano County, California, United States.
Benicia WWTF serves approximately 13,682 residents in the city of Benicia and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Carquinez Strait, which flows into San Francisco Bay and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.
Benicia WWTF operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is regulated by the California State Water Resources Control Board through an NPDES permit.
Plants of this scale in the U.S. typically employ secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA standards.
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