San Juan Creek Ocean Outfall

A sunny beach scene with waves, sand, and beachfront houses at sunset, capturing a peaceful coastal atmosphere.
  • Year Built: 1978
  • Length: 2.2 Miles (10,334 feet) off Doheny State Beach at a depth of 100 feet
  • Capacity Used Today: 10.5 million gallons per day
  • Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Sites: 21
  • Ocean Monitoring Frequency: Monthly
  • Beach Water Quality Monitoring Sites: 9
  • Beach Monitoring Frequency: Weekly
  • Annual Water Quality Samples: Nearly 1,700

Purpose: The San Juan Creek Ocean Outfall discharges highly treated wastewater 2.2 miles off the Orange County coast in accordance to strict state and federal laws. The Regional Water Quality Control Board governs this discharge process. SOCWA holds a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which must be renewed by application to the Regional Board filed every five years.

The image shows an underwater scene featuring colorful corals and aquatic plants against a rocky background.