Cutler Orosi WWTF - Wastewater Treatment in Tulare County, California

Cutler Orosi WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Tulare County, California, serving the communities of Cutler and Orosi. The plant handles wastewater from a population of about 13,190 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under US regulatory frameworks. As a US facility, the plant 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 or a regional board. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters that drain into the San Joaquin River system, ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean via the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This watershed supports agricultural irrigation and provides habitat for fish and wildlife, making proper treatment essential for water quality in the region.

The Cutler Orosi WWTF discharges into the Kaweah River or nearby tributaries, which flow into the San Joaquin River. The San Joaquin River is a major waterway in California's Central Valley, supporting extensive agriculture and providing critical habitat for species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Downstream, the river contributes to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, an ecologically sensitive estuary that supplies water to millions of Californians and supports diverse aquatic life.