Overview
Mendocino City WWTF is an advanced treatment plant serving 2,256 people in Mendocino, California. It discharges 492.10 megaliters annually and is located within 10 km of the Pacific coast.
Mendocino City WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Mendocino, California, serving a population of 2,256. The plant provides advanced treatment, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. Its designed capacity is 1,173.47 megaliters, with an annual discharge volume of 492.10 megaliters. As an advanced treatment plant, it goes beyond secondary treatment requirements, likely incorporating nutrient removal or filtration processes. Under the US Clean Water Act, such facilities operate under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set strict effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's advanced treatment level reflects the need to safeguard sensitive coastal waters. The plant discharges into the Pacific Ocean via local drainage, given its proximity to the coast. The Mendocino coast is part of the California Current System, supporting diverse marine life including kelp forests, salmon, and marine mammals. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect this ecologically important coastal environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Pacific Ocean near Mendocino, California. The receiving waters are part of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem, known for its high productivity and biodiversity. The advanced treatment reduces nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting nearshore habitats such as kelp forests and rocky intertidal zones that support fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.
Frequently asked questions
Mendocino City WWTF is located at 45394 Ukiah Street, Mendocino, California, United States. It serves the community of Mendocino along the northern California coast.
The plant serves a population of 2,256 people, making it a small-scale municipal treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean via local drainage. Its proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means effluent is released into marine waters.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. Advanced treatment ensures compliance with strict effluent limits for coastal discharge.
Small plants in California often use secondary treatment, but those near sensitive coastal areas may require advanced treatment to reduce nutrients and protect marine ecosystems. Mendocino City WWTF employs advanced treatment, exceeding minimum federal standards.
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