ETE Carbonita Wastewater Treatment Plant, Carbonita, Minas Gerais

ETE Carbonita is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Carbonita, within the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The facility serves a population of about 4,936 people, classifying it as a small-scale treatment operation in the region. The plant employs secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process required under Brazilian regulations for communities of this size. The reported discharge volume of 431.62 cubic meters per day indicates consistent operation. Brazilian environmental law (CONAMA resolutions) mandates secondary treatment for urban wastewater to protect water quality. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Jequitinhonha River basin, which flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. The region's semi-arid climate and reliance on surface water make proper treatment critical for maintaining downstream aquatic ecosystems and supporting local communities.

The plant discharges into the Jequitinhonha River basin, a major watershed in eastern Brazil that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and human consumption. Effective secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution and nutrient loading, protecting downstream water quality and ecological balance in a region where water resources are seasonally stressed.