ETE DORNELAS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Muriaé, Minas Gerais

ETE DORNELAS is a wastewater treatment plant located in Muriaé, a city in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of around 11,585 people, making it a medium-sized facility for the region. It operates within the broader sanitation network managed by the local water and sewage utility. As a plant in Brazil, ETE DORNELAS is subject to national regulations under CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 and the National Basic Sanitation Law (Law 11.445/2007), which set standards for effluent quality and treatment. For a plant serving this population size, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic load and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent from ETE DORNELAS is discharged into a local watercourse that is part of the Paraíba do Sul River basin, one of Brazil's most important river systems. The Paraíba do Sul flows through the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes. The river supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for millions of people downstream.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Paraíba do Sul River, which flows through the Atlantic Forest biome, a biodiversity hotspot. The river is a critical water source for agriculture, industry, and drinking water for downstream communities. The watershed supports species such as the maned wolf and various migratory fish. Proper treatment at ETE DORNELAS helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.