Overview
RICHGROVE WWTF is a secondary treatment plant in Tulare County, California, serving 2,200 people. It discharges 832.79 units of treated wastewater and operates under US EPA NPDES regulations.
RICHGROVE WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Tulare County, California, serving a population of approximately 2,200 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States, ensuring that effluent meets basic quality standards before discharge. The plant's designed capacity matches its current discharge volume of 832.79 units, indicating it operates at full capacity. As a US facility, it is subject to the Clean Water Act and typically operates under an NPDES permit issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board, which sets effluent limits and monitoring requirements. The treated wastewater is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Tulare Lake Basin, a historically significant watershed in California's Central Valley. This region supports agricultural irrigation and provides habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species, making proper treatment essential for environmental protection.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Tulare Lake Basin, an endorheic basin in California's Central Valley that historically supported a large seasonal lake. Today, the basin is primarily agricultural, with waterways conveying runoff and treated effluent. The downstream environment includes sensitive habitats for waterfowl and fish, and the plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading that could otherwise contribute to algal blooms in receiving waters.
Frequently asked questions
RICHGROVE WWTF is located on Avenue 4 in Tulare County, California, near the community of Richgrove. It serves the local population of approximately 2,200 residents.
The plant has a designed capacity of 832.79 units and currently discharges at that same volume, indicating it operates at full capacity. It provides secondary treatment, which is standard for small US communities.
The treated wastewater is discharged into local waterways within the Tulare Lake Basin. The basin drains agricultural areas and supports regional irrigation and wildlife.
As a US facility, RICHGROVE WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act and is likely permitted through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board. Secondary treatment is the minimum required for municipal plants.
The plant treats wastewater from a small community, reducing pollutants before discharge into the Tulare Lake Basin. This helps protect local water quality for agricultural use and supports the ecological health of the basin's aquatic habitats.
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