Ferndale WWTF - Secondary Treatment Plant in Port Kenyon, California

Ferndale WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 663 Port Kenyon Road in Port Kenyon, Humboldt County, California. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,457 residents and is situated in a coastal region of northern California. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater plants. With a designed capacity of 567.81 thousand gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 529.96 thousand gallons per day, the plant operates at a high utilization rate. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean places it under additional regulatory scrutiny for coastal discharge. The treated effluent from Ferndale WWTF is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal marine environment and the ecological health of Humboldt Bay and surrounding estuaries, which support diverse aquatic life and migratory species.

The plant discharges into the Pacific Ocean via local coastal streams and the Humboldt Bay estuary system. This region supports critical habitats for salmon, steelhead, and migratory birds. The coastal discharge requires compliance with stringent water quality standards to protect marine ecosystems and recreational uses.