Overview
IEUA Regional Plant No5 in Chino, California serves 153,100 people as part of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency's water recycling network. The plant supports regional water sustainability in San Bernardino County.
IEUA Regional Plant No5 is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Chino, California, within the Inland Empire Utilities Agency service area. It serves a population of approximately 153,100, classifying it as a large agglomeration under US regulatory standards. The plant is situated inland in San Bernardino County, contributing to the region's water management infrastructure. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. For a plant of this scale, advanced treatment is typical to meet stringent water quality standards, especially given California's focus on water recycling and groundwater recharge. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting its role in local water supply. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges to the Santa Ana River watershed, which flows through Southern California to the Pacific Ocean. This river system supports diverse aquatic habitats and is critical for regional water supply and flood control. The plant's operations help protect downstream ecosystems and support water reuse initiatives in a semi-arid climate.
Environmental context
The plant is located in the Santa Ana River watershed, which drains from the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach. The river supports riparian habitats and is a key water source for agriculture and urban areas. Downstream, the Santa Ana River flows through Orange County, where its estuary provides important habitat for migratory birds and fish species. The plant's discharge contributes to maintaining base flows and water quality in this ecologically sensitive system.
Frequently asked questions
IEUA Regional Plant No5 is located in Chino, California, within San Bernardino County. It is part of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency's network of water recycling plants.
The plant serves approximately 153,100 people, classifying it as a large municipal wastewater treatment facility under US EPA guidelines.
The plant likely discharges treated effluent to the Santa Ana River watershed, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. As a water recycling plant, some effluent may be reused for irrigation or groundwater recharge.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. These permits set limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
Plants of this scale in California typically employ advanced secondary or tertiary treatment, including biological processes and disinfection, to meet strict water quality standards and support water reuse.
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