Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary

Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wildlife Sanctuary is an innovative sewer management system employed by the city of Arcata, California. Fact|date=June 2008

A series of oxidation ponds, treatment wetlands and enhancement marshes are used to filter sewage waste. The Marshes also serve as a wildlife refuge, and are on the Pacific Flyway. The Arcata Marsh is a popular destination for birders. The Marsh has been awarded the Innovations in Government award from the Ford Foundation/Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Numerous holding pools in the marsh, called "lakes," are named after donors and citizens who helped start the marsh project, including Humboldt State University professors George Allen and Robert A. Gearheart who were instrumental in the creation of the Arcata Marsh. In 1969 Allen also started an aquaculture project at the marsh to raise salmonids in mixtures of sea water and partially treated wastewater, a project that continues today. Despite being effectively a sewer, the series of open-air lakes do not smell, and are a popular destination for birdwatching, [ [http://www.humboldt.edu/~ere_dept/marsh/birds.html Arcata Wastewater Treatment Plant & Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary - Birds ] ] cycling and jogging.

The sewage treatment process takes place in three stages:
#Sewage is held in sedimentation tanks where the sludge is removed and processed for use as fertilizer.
#Remaining wastewater is pumped into oxidation ponds (here bacteria break down the waste).
#About one month later water is put into artificial marshes where it is cleansed by reeds, cattails, and bacteria.

Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center

The Friends Of the Arcata Marsh operate the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center that contains exhibits about the operations of the treatment plant, the importance of the marsh, and about the plants and animals that live there. Volunteer docents give tours of the marsh. Education programs are offered for school, scout and other groups, as well as summer camp programs.

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofarcata.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=47 City of Arcata - Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary]
* [http://www.humboldt.edu/~ere_dept/marsh/ Humboldt State University - Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary]
* [http://www.humboldt.edu/~ere_dept/marsh/FOAMoutreach.html Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center]
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