ETE Cabucu e Laranjeiras Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ETE Cabucu e Laranjeiras is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Cabuçu neighborhood of Nova Iguaçu, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It serves a population of about 10,048 residents, classifying it as a small to medium-sized facility within the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. The plant is situated in the southeastern region of Brazil, an area characterized by a tropical climate and significant urban development. As a Brazilian wastewater treatment facility, ETE Cabucu e Laranjeiras is subject to the national regulatory framework established by the Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) and the Lei de Saneamento Básico (Law 11.445/2007). These regulations set standards for effluent quality and treatment levels, typically requiring at least secondary treatment for urban wastewater. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 cubic meter per second, indicating its intended scale for handling local sewage flows. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Guanabara Bay watershed, a large estuarine system on the Atlantic coast. The bay is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing important ecosystem services. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and reducing pollution loads entering this sensitive coastal environment.

The plant discharges into the Guanabara Bay basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. Guanabara Bay is a large, semi-enclosed estuary that supports mangroves, fish, and bird species, and is an important ecological and economic resource for the Rio de Janeiro region. The bay faces pressures from urban runoff and industrial activities, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality and biodiversity.