ETE BACIA OESTE - Caçapava Wastewater Treatment Plant, São Paulo, Brazil

ETE BACIA OESTE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Caçapava, within the São Paulo state of Brazil. The facility serves a population of about 22,523 people, contributing to the sanitation infrastructure of the Vale do Paraíba region, an area known for its industrial and agricultural activities. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant operates under Brazil's national environmental regulations, which require adequate treatment to protect water resources. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment to meet effluent standards set by the National Environment Council (CONAMA). The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, a critical water source for the region. This river flows through São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The plant plays a key role in preserving water quality in this ecologically and economically important watershed.

The plant discharges into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, which flows through the Vale do Paraíba region and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes. This river supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for millions of people downstream. The watershed is also home to remnants of the Atlantic Forest, an ecologically sensitive biome that benefits from reduced pollution loads.