You know, life as a waterdrop sure isn't easy. So many people take me for granted and don't really think about the role I play in their survival. Many people will overuse me, pollute me, or even worse, boil me! Fortunately, there are some people in the city of Arcata, CA. that care about me. They appreciate the fact that I am a necessity in their everyday lives. When F.O.A.M., or Friends Of the Arcata Marsh, asked me to help them, I was more than happy to do so.

Hi. I'm Willy the Waterdrop and I am going to explain how I and all the other waterdrops flow through Arcata's Integrated wastewater treatment system and the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. If you ever need to reread a page, select my icon or image description to step backwards.

Now to avoid confusion, let me start off by saying that the Arcata Marsh is a constructed marsh. Originally, the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary was tidal mud flats and salt marshes. The land has since been reclaimed and is now used as an integrated wetland wastewater treatment facility. Unfortunately, my knowledge of the area's history is extremely limited. From what I understand, much has happened to the area prior to the creation of the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. If you are interested in the history of the Arcata Marsh, please view the history of the marsh pages.

Water comes to the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary from a variety of sources. It can come from someone's house, or storm drains that drain into a Jolly Giant Creek via Butcher's Slough.  Jolly Giant Creek flows through the sanctuary and into Humboldt Bay.  Three of the wetlands at the sanctuary are fed Arcata's wastewater.  Since I started out as a wastewater drop, we will begin our journey from the common household toilet.  We will travel through each stage of the wastewater treatment process beginning with primary treatment.