Overview
Pfeiffer Big Sur WWTF is an advanced treatment plant serving 500 people in Monterey County, California. It discharges 208.20 megaliters of treated wastewater annually, with a designed capacity of 378.54 megaliters.
Pfeiffer Big Sur WWTF is a wastewater treatment facility located in Monterey County, California, United States. Serving a small population of 500, the plant provides advanced treatment to protect the sensitive coastal environment of the Big Sur region. The facility is situated inland but within 50 kilometers of the Pacific coast, highlighting its role in preserving water quality in a scenic and ecologically important area. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 378.54 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 208.20 megaliters, the plant operates well within its capacity. As a small facility, it is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set strict effluent limits to safeguard receiving waters. The treated effluent from Pfeiffer Big Sur WWTF ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean via local streams and the Big Sur River watershed. The region is known for its rugged coastline, redwood forests, and diverse marine life. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream habitats such as kelp forests and rocky intertidal zones that support sea otters, harbor seals, and migratory birds.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Big Sur River watershed, which flows through the Santa Lucia Mountains and empties into the Pacific Ocean at the Big Sur coast. This area is part of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem, supporting rich biodiversity including endangered steelhead trout and southern sea otters. Advanced treatment reduces the risk of eutrophication and maintains water quality for recreational use and wildlife.
Frequently asked questions
Pfeiffer Big Sur WWTF is located in Monterey County, California, United States, near the Big Sur coastline.
The plant serves a small population of 500 people in the Big Sur area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Big Sur River watershed, which flows to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the US Clean Water Act.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to an EPA NPDES permit that sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
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