ETE ARGIRITA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Argirita, Minas Gerais, Brazil

ETE ARGIRITA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Argirita, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,192 people, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for this small community in the Zona da Mata region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. Secondary treatment aligns with Brazilian regulatory standards for municipalities of this size, as outlined by the National Environmental Council (CONAMA) resolutions. The plant discharges an average daily volume of 222.36 cubic meters of treated effluent. The treated effluent from ETE ARGIRITA is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, a major river system in southeastern Brazil. This river flows through the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais, providing water for millions of people and supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality and ecological health.

The plant discharges into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, which flows through the Atlantic Forest biome and supports a rich diversity of aquatic life. The river is a critical water source for the region, including the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. Downstream, the Paraíba do Sul empties into the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Campos dos Goytacazes. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic pollution, helping to maintain the ecological balance of this important watershed.