Overview
Michelson WRP in Irvine, California serves approximately 143,000 people. The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge into local waterways.
Michelson WRP is a wastewater treatment plant located in Irvine, Orange County, California, serving a population of about 143,000. It is part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure, handling a designed capacity of 1.00 (likely million gallons per day or similar unit). The plant is situated within 50 km of the coast, indicating its discharge may eventually reach the Pacific Ocean. As a U. S. facility, Michelson WRP 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. For a plant serving over 100,000 people, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal if discharging to sensitive waters. Regulatory compliance ensures protection of receiving waters. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into San Diego Creek or another tributary of Upper Newport Bay, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in Southern California. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the region's coastal and estuarine environments.
Environmental context
Michelson WRP discharges into the San Diego Creek watershed, which flows into Upper Newport Bay, a coastal estuary that ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean. This bay supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, birds, and invertebrates, and is an important migratory stopover. The plant's operations help protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
Michelson WRP is located in Irvine, Orange County, California, United States, near the San Diego Creek watershed.
Michelson WRP serves approximately 143,000 people in the Irvine area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the San Diego Creek watershed, which flows into Upper Newport Bay and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.
Michelson WRP operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with possible advanced treatment for nutrient removal if discharging to sensitive waters like coastal estuaries.
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