Overview
OCSD WRP No 1 in Costa Mesa, California serves over 1.4 million people as a major wastewater treatment facility. It operates under the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES permitting framework.
OCSD WRP No 1 is a large-scale wastewater treatment plant located in Costa Mesa, California, serving a population of approximately 1.44 million. As part of the Orange County Sanitation District, it plays a critical role in managing wastewater for a densely populated urban area in Southern California. The plant's designed capacity is 1. Under the US Clean Water Act, facilities of this scale are required to meet stringent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit conditions, which typically mandate advanced secondary treatment or higher for coastal discharges. Treated effluent from OCSD WRP No 1 is discharged into the Pacific Ocean via an offshore outfall. The facility's operations are essential for protecting coastal water quality and marine ecosystems in the Southern California Bight, a region known for its diverse marine life and recreational beaches.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Pacific Ocean, which receives treated wastewater from multiple coastal communities in Orange County. The Southern California Bight supports a rich marine ecosystem including kelp forests, fish populations, and migratory seabirds. Protecting this coastal environment requires advanced treatment to minimize nutrient loading and contaminant impacts.
Frequently asked questions
OCSD WRP No 1 is located at 3261 Iowa Street, Costa Mesa, California, United States.
The plant serves approximately 1,443,610 people, making it a large-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
Treated wastewater from OCSD WRP No 1 is discharged into the Pacific Ocean via an offshore outfall, as is typical for coastal plants in Southern California.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.
For large coastal plants in California, advanced secondary treatment or higher is typically required to meet stringent water quality standards and protect marine ecosystems.
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