Overview
Los Banos WWTF serves approximately 32,380 people in Los Banos, California. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is located inland, discharging treated wastewater into local waterways.
Los Banos WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the city of Los Banos, California, with a population of about 32,380. Located in Merced County, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from residential and commercial sources. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs discharge quality, with permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board or the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Treatment processes typically include primary and secondary stages to meet effluent standards. The treated effluent is discharged to local waterways that drain into the San Joaquin River system, ultimately reaching the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in California's Central Valley.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the San Joaquin River basin, which flows through the Central Valley to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This watershed supports critical habitats for fish species such as Chinook salmon and Delta smelt, and is a key migratory route for waterfowl. The region's Mediterranean climate with seasonal droughts makes water quality management essential for ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Los Banos WWTF is located at 17961 Henry Miller Avenue, Los Banos, Merced County, California, United States.
Los Banos WWTF serves approximately 32,380 people in the city of Los Banos and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the San Joaquin River system, ultimately reaching the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay.
Los Banos WWTF operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board or the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment, including biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EPA effluent guidelines under the Clean Water Act.
Nearby plants