ETE Bairro Tancredo Neves - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Paulo Afonso, Bahia

ETE Bairro Tancredo Neves is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Vila Nobre neighborhood of Paulo Afonso, Bahia, Brazil. The plant serves a population of 7,397 and provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for urban wastewater in Brazil under CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 and other national regulations. The plant's discharge volume is 667.87 cubic meters per day. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Brazilian regulations mandate that treatment plants of this scale meet effluent quality standards to protect receiving water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which is part of the São Francisco River basin, one of Brazil's most important river systems. The São Francisco River flows through the semi-arid Northeast region and supports diverse aquatic life, agriculture, and human consumption downstream. Proper treatment at this plant helps protect water quality in this ecologically and economically significant basin.

The plant discharges into the São Francisco River basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The São Francisco River is a vital water source for the semi-arid Northeast region, supporting irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power. Downstream ecosystems include riparian forests and wetlands that provide habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife. Maintaining secondary treatment standards helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, protecting aquatic biodiversity and water quality for downstream communities.