Wastewater Treatment Background

Every community along the coast collects waste from homes, businesses and industries through a sewer system that delivers to a treatment facility that then discharges the treated water into a receiving stream, bay or ocean. Treatment technologies continue to evolve and some facilities have adopted extremely innovative methods of dealing with human waste. These facilities can often serve as models for improvement of older and outdated facilities. Below are some basic introductory materials about municipal wastewater treatment and an example of innovative technologies being used in Arcata, California.

How Wastewater Treatment Works: The Basics

EPA Office of Wastewater Management

EPA Primer for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems

Arcata, California: Natural System for Wastewater Treatment

Arcata Marsh and Sanctuary