Grass Valley WWTF, Grass Valley

Overview

Grass Valley WWTF serves approximately 19,000 residents in Grass Valley, California. The plant discharges into Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Yuba River, which flows into the Feather River and ultimately the Sacramento River.

Grass Valley WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Grass Valley, California, serving a population of about 19,000. The plant is situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills and is part of the region's water infrastructure. As a facility in the United States, 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. For a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant discharges treated effluent into Wolf Creek, which flows into the Yuba River, then the Feather River, and eventually the Sacramento River, which drains into the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for salmon and steelhead trout.

Environmental context

The plant's effluent enters Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Yuba River, which is part of the larger Sacramento River basin. This watershed ultimately drains into the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The region is ecologically sensitive, supporting anadromous fish species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, which rely on clean water for spawning and migration. The plant's discharge must meet water quality standards to protect these downstream habitats.

Frequently asked questions

Grass Valley WWTF is located on Wolf Creek Trail in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, United States.

The plant serves approximately 19,000 residents in the Grass Valley area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into Wolf Creek, which flows into the Yuba River, then the Feather River, and eventually the Sacramento River.

As a US facility, Grass Valley WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.

For a population of 19,000, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. Depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity, additional nutrient removal may be required to meet state water quality standards.