Lake Cachuma County Park WWTF - Santa Barbara County, California Wastewater Treatment Plant

Lake Cachuma County Park WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located along Chumash Highway in Santa Barbara County, California. The plant serves a small population of 1,390 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The facility provides secondary treatment, a standard level required for most municipal plants in the United States. With a designed capacity of 832.79 volume units and an actual discharge volume of 264.98, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variability. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Pacific Ocean via the Santa Ynez River system. The receiving water body is near Lake Cachuma, a key reservoir for the region that supports aquatic life and recreational activities. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge can influence coastal water quality, though it is more than 10 km inland.

The plant discharges into the Santa Ynez River watershed, which flows into the Pacific Ocean near Point Conception. This coastal watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats, including steelhead trout and other native species. The proximity to Lake Cachuma, a man-made reservoir, adds ecological significance as the lake provides water supply and habitat for migratory birds.