Hopland Band WWTP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Old Hopland, California

Hopland Band WWTP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Old Hopland, Mendocino County, California. It serves a small population of 140 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard typically required for municipal plants. With a design capacity of 946.35 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 75.71 m³/day, the plant has substantial reserve capacity. This suggests it is designed to accommodate future growth or seasonal variations in flow. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Russian River or a nearby creek, which ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean. The advanced treatment ensures high-quality effluent, protecting the local watershed and downstream aquatic ecosystems. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse within the Russian River watershed, which flows into the Pacific Ocean near Jenner, California. The Russian River supports diverse aquatic life, including steelhead trout and Chinook salmon, and is an important migratory corridor for fish. Advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.