Morro Bay Cayucos WWTF - California Coastal Wastewater Treatment Plant

Morro Bay Cayucos WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the communities of Morro Bay and Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County, California. The plant is situated near the Pacific coast and handles wastewater from a population of approximately 17,284 residents. As a facility in California, the plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated by the California State Water Resources Control Board through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. For a plant serving this population size, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential additional nutrient removal requirements to protect sensitive coastal waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Pacific Ocean via a marine outfall, contributing to the health of the local marine ecosystem. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life, including kelp forests, fish populations, and marine mammals. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect coastal water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean along the central California coast. This region is part of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which supports a rich diversity of marine life including sea otters, harbor seals, and migratory seabirds. The coastal waters are also important for commercial and recreational fisheries. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality in this productive marine environment.