Overview
Fresno Clovis Regional WRF serves approximately 940,000 people in Fresno, California. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for large municipal facilities.
Fresno Clovis Regional WRF is a major wastewater treatment facility serving the Fresno and Clovis metropolitan area in California's Central Valley. With a population served of approximately 940,000, it is one of the largest treatment plants in the region, handling municipal wastewater from a densely populated urban area. As a large-scale facility in the United States, the plant is subject to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under the Clean Water Act. This regulatory framework requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard for municipal wastewater, with additional nutrient removal or advanced treatment if the receiving water body is sensitive. The plant's design capacity and treatment processes are managed to meet these federal and state requirements. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the San Joaquin River basin, which flows through the Central Valley and ultimately into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is critical for irrigation and municipal water supplies downstream. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this ecologically and economically important watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the San Joaquin River, a major tributary of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which empties into San Francisco Bay. The river supports a variety of fish species, including salmon and steelhead, and provides habitat for migratory birds. The delta is a critical water supply source for California, making nutrient and pollutant control essential for ecosystem health and human use.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on West Jensen Avenue in Fresno, Fresno County, California, United States.
The plant serves approximately 940,220 people in the Fresno and Clovis metropolitan area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the San Joaquin River, which flows into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and ultimately San Francisco Bay.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Large municipal plants in the US typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum, often with advanced nutrient removal to meet water quality standards for sensitive receiving waters.
Nearby plants