The Mendocino Wastewater Treatment Plant sits on a jutted-out piece of land on California’s north coast, overlooking Mendocino Bay to the south and Headlands State Park to the north.
This 35 mgd (average) activated sludge facility’s coastal location presents a unique challenge because the damp salt air tends to be corrosive, creating a higher propensity for damage to equipment. In addition, Mendocino County has to account for planned water shortages during dry summer months.
While these challenges are endemic to the location, the plant also must deal with clogs to pumps and other equipment caused by debris in the influent. “We always
