Overview
Latham WWTP in Dana Point, California serves approximately 163,559 people. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast and discharges into the local watershed.
Latham WWTP is a wastewater treatment facility serving the community of Dana Point in Orange County, California. With a population served of around 163,559, it is classified as a large agglomeration under U. S. regulatory frameworks. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting its role in managing municipal wastewater for a significant urban area. As a U. S. facility, Latham WWTP 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. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary or advanced treatment to meet regulatory standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the San Juan Creek watershed, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect marine ecosystems, including sensitive habitats along the Southern California coast. The facility plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the region's coastal waters.
Environmental context
Latham WWTP discharges into the San Juan Creek watershed, which drains to the Pacific Ocean near Dana Point. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life and are part of a coastal ecosystem that includes sandy beaches and rocky intertidal zones. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge can influence nearshore water quality, requiring compliance with stringent nutrient and pathogen limits to protect recreational and ecological uses.
Frequently asked questions
Latham WWTP is located in Dana Point, Orange County, California, United States. The facility is situated near San Juan Creek Trail in the Capistrano Beach area.
Latham WWTP serves approximately 163,559 people, classifying it as a large municipal wastewater treatment facility under U. S. regulatory standards.
Treated wastewater from Latham WWTP is discharged into the San Juan Creek watershed, which flows to the Pacific Ocean. The discharge is regulated under the Clean Water Act to protect coastal water quality.
As a U. S. facility, Latham WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is permitted through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Plants of this scale in California typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, with many incorporating advanced treatment processes such as nutrient removal to meet stringent discharge requirements for coastal waters.
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