Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility

On Wednesday, June 11, a group of volunteers from the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance were led on a two-hour tour of the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility in Petaluma.

Even after 16 years of operation, Petaluma’s sewage treatment plant is still considered state of the art in the municipal challenge of dealing with human waste. It combines natural cleansing processes afforded by microbial life and aquatic plants with the latest technology in filtration and ultraviolet light disinfection to ensure both public health safety and water conservation.

The plant’s enlightened design transforms what was previously a burden into a multifaceted asset. Its 31 acres of polishing ponds provide habitat for many different bird, aquatic, and terrestrial species that the public can observe along more than 2.5 miles of trails winding through the wetlands. Ultimately, the treated water is distributed to parks, schools, public and commercial landscapes, the city golf course, and nearby vineyards. It’s a sophisticated system easily overlooked, that is essential to preserve Petaluma’s drinking water supply while servicing other water-dependent sectors.

Photography by Tim Fleming