Overview
McFarland WWTF in Delano, California serves approximately 5,600 residents. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated wastewater into local waterways.
McFarland WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Melcher Road in Delano, Kern County, California. It serves a population of about 5,596 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category for US inland plants. As a US facility, McFarland WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board or the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, with possible additional nutrient controls depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the San Joaquin River system and then to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This downstream chain supports diverse aquatic habitats and is critical for California's water supply and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
McFarland WWTF discharges into the Tulare Lake Basin, a historically significant watershed in California's Central Valley. The treated effluent flows through local canals and streams that eventually reach the San Joaquin River, which empties into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. This region supports important aquatic ecosystems, including migratory fish species and wetland habitats, making effective wastewater treatment essential for water quality and ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
McFarland WWTF is located on Melcher Road in Delano, Kern County, California, United States.
The plant serves approximately 5,596 residents, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways within the Tulare Lake Basin, eventually reaching the San Joaquin River system.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, enforced by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. Depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity, additional nutrient removal may be required to protect downstream ecosystems.
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