Some people in Ventura thought the three wastewater discharge ponds near the city’s wastewater treatment plant might go away in 2009 when the State of California tightened discharge standards for its 14 mgd (design) activated sludge water reclamation plant.But creative planning and a determination to maintain the ponds for the public’s enjoyment transformed the nearly 40-acre pond site into a wildlife habitat that provides recreational opportunities for bird-watchers and hikers.Changing roleDeveloped by the city as a wildlife habitat enjoyed by citizens and visitors to the plant, the ponds originally served as an effluent discharge point before final discharge into an
