Oxnard City wastewater plant treats 17 million gallons daily; staff flag operator vacancies and compliance work

Michael Wolf, public works director for Oxnard City, told a public works workshop that the city’s wastewater system treats about 17,000,000 gallons per day, serves regional customers and is a foundational step for the city’s advanced water purification and recycled water efforts.

Wolf said the wastewater plant’s customers include neighboring jurisdictions such as Port Hueneme, the Channel Islands Beach Community Service District, navy bases and some unincorporated county areas. He said the plant produces roughly 140,000 pounds of biosolids per day and that the system includes more than 400 miles of sewer pipe and about 15 lift stations.

Why it matters: wastewater operations underpin indirect potable reuse and recycled water production. Plant performance, staffing and capital investments affect downstream recycled water availability and compliance with permits.

Wolf identified current workstreams including multiple studies to address process efficiency and regulatory changes, capital projects in design and construction to address deferred maintenance, and projects that target improvements to support the AWPF and indirect potable reuse goals.

Staff raised operational challenges: a shortage of certified operators makes hiring and retention difficult because state rules require licensed operators; declining wastewater inflows are putting pressure on treatment processes; and regulatory compliance remains a continuing workload. Wolf said adequate staffing is a top priority because the plant operates 24/7, year‑round.

Ending: Wolf said capital projects and staffing investments are needed to support recycled water goals and preserve economic stability for the wastewater enterprise.