Overview
ETE Currais Novos is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 34,596 people in Currais Novos, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. It operates under Brazil's national water quality regulations.
ETE Currais Novos is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Currais Novos, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The plant serves a population of around 34,596 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category for Brazilian wastewater infrastructure. It is situated in the semi-arid Northeast region, where water resources are particularly scarce and treatment plays a critical role in public health and environmental protection. Brazil's wastewater treatment standards are governed by CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 and the National Water Resources Policy (Law 9.433/1997). For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic load and pathogens before discharge. It operates within this regulatory framework to meet local environmental standards. The treated effluent from ETE Currais Novos is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. This region is ecologically sensitive due to its semi-arid climate and reliance on surface water for agriculture and drinking water. Proper treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water reuse for irrigation in the surrounding area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which flows through the semi-arid Caatinga biome before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is critical for local agriculture and drinking water supplies. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain water quality in this water-stressed region.
Frequently asked questions
ETE Currais Novos is located in Currais Novos, a city in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The plant serves the urban area and surrounding communities.
The plant serves approximately 34,596 people, making it a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility in the region.
The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that are part of the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The plant operates under Brazil's CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 and the National Water Resources Policy, which set effluent quality standards and require treatment appropriate to the receiving water body.
For medium agglomerations in Brazil, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic matter and pathogens. Common processes include activated sludge, stabilization ponds, or anaerobic reactors, depending on local conditions.
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