ETE Capela do Jacu - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lavrinhas, São Paulo

ETE Capela do Jacu is a wastewater treatment plant located in Lavrinhas, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It serves a small population of 400 residents in the Jardim Mavisou area, near the Rodovia Vicente Penido. The plant is part of the municipal infrastructure for the Região Imediata de Cruzeiro, within the Vale do Paraíba region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage that removes organic matter and suspended solids. For a small agglomeration of this size, secondary treatment meets the typical requirements under Brazilian environmental regulations, which are aligned with international standards for protecting water quality. The plant discharges approximately 244.51 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day. The treated effluent is released into local water bodies that drain into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, a major river system in southeastern Brazil. This river flows through the Vale do Paraíba and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes. The plant plays a role in maintaining the health of this watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for downstream communities.

The plant discharges into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, which flows through the Vale do Paraíba region and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The river supports a variety of fish species and is an important water source for agriculture and urban areas. The watershed includes areas of Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot, making proper wastewater treatment essential for preserving downstream ecosystems.