Overview
Big Pine WWTF is a secondary treatment plant serving 800 people in Inyo County, California. It discharges 181.70 units of treated wastewater daily, with a designed capacity of 230.91 units.
Big Pine WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Inyo County, California, serving a small population of approximately 800 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges to protect water quality. The facility employs secondary treatment processes, meeting the standard for removal of organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 230.91 units and an average daily discharge of 181.70 units, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Owens River system and then to the Owens Lake basin. This arid region relies on careful water management to support local ecosystems and groundwater recharge. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in this sensitive desert environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Owens River watershed, which flows into Owens Lake in the Great Basin. This arid region supports unique desert riparian habitats and is important for migratory birds. The treated effluent contributes to local water resources in a water-scarce area, helping maintain base flows and supporting downstream ecological functions.
Frequently asked questions
Big Pine WWTF is located in Inyo County, California, United States, serving the small community of Big Pine.
The plant serves a population of approximately 800 people, making it a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Owens River system and ultimately to Owens Lake.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater to protect water quality.
As a small municipal plant in the U.S., Big Pine WWTF operates under an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board, ensuring compliance with secondary treatment standards and discharge limits.
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