ETE Bugio Wastewater Treatment Plant, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ETE Bugio is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Volta Redonda, within the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The facility serves a population of approximately 3,004 residents, making it a small-scale treatment plant in the region. It is situated in the Jardim Padre Josimo Tavares neighborhood, part of the broader Volta Redonda metropolitan area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. Under Brazilian regulations (CONAMA resolutions and state-level environmental laws), secondary treatment is typically required for urban wastewater before discharge. The plant's discharge volume of 483.78 m³/day indicates its operational scale. The treated effluent from ETE Bugio flows into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Paraíba do Sul River, a major river in southeastern Brazil. This river is vital for water supply, agriculture, and industry in the region, and it ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Paraíba do Sul basin from untreated sewage pollution.

The Paraíba do Sul River basin is one of Brazil's most important watersheds, supplying water to millions of people in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states. The river supports diverse aquatic life and is used for irrigation, industry, and hydroelectric power. ETE Bugio's discharge contributes to the river's water quality, helping to reduce organic and nutrient loads that could otherwise cause eutrophication and harm downstream ecosystems. The plant's location about 50 km from the coast means its effluent eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean, where nutrient pollution can impact coastal marine habitats.