SOCWA Coastal WWTP, Dana Point

Overview

SOCWA Coastal WWTP in Dana Point, California serves about 57,000 people. The plant is located near the coast and operates under US Clean Water Act regulations.

SOCWA Coastal WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Dana Point, California, serving a population of approximately 57,000. The plant is situated near the San Juan Creek Trail in the Capistrano Beach area, within Orange County. As a coastal facility, it plays a key role in managing wastewater from the surrounding community. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day. Under the US Clean Water Act, facilities of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board. These permits ensure that treated effluent meets water quality standards before discharge. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into the Pacific Ocean via a marine outfall, given its coastal location. The receiving waters support diverse marine life, including fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. Proper treatment is essential to protect coastal water quality and public health in the region.

Environmental context

The plant is located within 50 km of the Pacific Ocean coast in southern California. Treated wastewater likely discharges into the ocean, which supports a rich marine ecosystem including kelp forests, fish populations, and migratory species. The local watershed includes San Juan Creek, which drains into the ocean and provides habitat for aquatic life. Protecting this coastal environment requires effective treatment to minimize nutrient and pollutant loads.

Frequently asked questions

SOCWA Coastal WWTP is located in Dana Point, California, near San Juan Creek Trail in the Capistrano Beach area of Orange County.

The plant serves approximately 57,000 people in the Dana Point and surrounding communities.

As a coastal plant, SOCWA Coastal WWTP likely discharges treated effluent into the Pacific Ocean via a marine outfall, subject to NPDES permit requirements.

The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board to ensure compliance with water quality standards.

Plants of this scale in California typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and solids, meeting federal and state standards.