Corona WWTP 3 - Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Corona, California

Corona WWTP 3 is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the city of Corona, California, located in Riverside County. The plant serves a population of approximately 25,000 people and is situated inland, away from the Pacific coast. It operates as part of the region's wastewater infrastructure, managing flows from residential and commercial sources. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, Corona WWTP 3 is subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. The facility has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating its scale. Treatment processes typically include primary and secondary treatment, with possible disinfection, to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Temescal Creek watershed, which flows into the Santa Ana River and ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean. The receiving waters support aquatic life and are used for recreation and irrigation downstream. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in the Santa Ana River basin, a vital resource in Southern California.

Corona WWTP 3 discharges into the Temescal Creek watershed, a tributary of the Santa Ana River. The Santa Ana River flows through Orange County before emptying into the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach. The river supports diverse aquatic habitats and is an important water source for agriculture and urban use. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive basin, which faces challenges from urban runoff and seasonal drought.