Burlingame WWTP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Burlingame, California

Burlingame WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the city of Burlingame, California, located in San Mateo County. The plant serves a population of approximately 32,700, placing it in the medium-sized agglomeration category. Its location near the San Francisco Bay influences its operational and environmental considerations. As a U.S. facility, Burlingame WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient controls in sensitive areas like the San Francisco Bay. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a moderate treatment capacity. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the San Francisco Bay, a large estuary connected to the Pacific Ocean. The Bay supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, birds, and marine mammals, and is an important ecological and economic resource. The plant's operations are critical to protecting water quality in this sensitive estuarine environment.

Burlingame WWTP discharges into the San Francisco Bay, which is part of the larger San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary, ultimately draining to the Pacific Ocean through the Golden Gate. The Bay supports a rich ecosystem, including migratory birds, fish species like salmon and steelhead, and marine mammals. The plant's location near the coast and within 50 km of the ocean underscores the importance of effective treatment to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream habitats.