TULELAKE STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Tulelake, California

TULELAKE STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Tulelake, Siskiyou County, California. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,221 residents and operates with a secondary treatment process, which is standard for small communities in the United States under the Clean Water Act. The plant's design capacity is 757.08 units, with an average daily discharge volume of 643.52 units, indicating it operates below its maximum capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the EPA's minimum requirements for biological treatment of organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Klamath River Basin. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and important migratory bird habitats. The plant's performance is critical to maintaining water quality in the surrounding agricultural and wetland areas.

The plant discharges into the Klamath River Basin, a major watershed in northern California and southern Oregon. The basin supports a variety of fish species, including salmon and trout, and provides habitat for migratory waterfowl. Downstream, the waters flow into the Klamath River and eventually reach the Pacific Ocean. The region is known for its agricultural irrigation and wetland ecosystems, making effective wastewater treatment essential for protecting both human and ecological health.