Overview
ETE Esmeraldas is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Esmeraldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, serving approximately 6,472 people. It discharges treated effluent into local water bodies, supporting downstream water quality.
ETE Esmeraldas is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Esmeraldas, within the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of about 6,472, classifying it as a small-scale agglomeration under Brazilian sanitation standards. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by Brazilian regulations (CONAMA 430/2011) for most inland discharges. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's discharge volume is recorded at 527.04 cubic meters per day. Treated effluent from ETE Esmeraldas flows into local streams that are part of the Rio das Velhas basin, a major tributary of the São Francisco River. The São Francisco River is one of Brazil's most important waterways, supporting agriculture, hydropower, and biodiversity in the semi-arid northeast. Proper treatment at this plant helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Rio das Velhas watershed, which drains into the São Francisco River, the fourth-largest river system in South America. The São Francisco basin supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species, and provides water for millions of people. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollution, helping to maintain oxygen levels and ecological balance in receiving waters.
Frequently asked questions
ETE Esmeraldas is located in Esmeraldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, along Rodovia Prefeito Evaristo Belém in the Novo Retiro neighborhood, within the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte.
The plant serves approximately 6,472 people, making it a small-scale wastewater treatment facility for the local community.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
The plant discharges into local streams within the Rio das Velhas basin, which flows into the São Francisco River, a major Brazilian waterway.
Brazilian regulations (CONAMA 430/2011) require secondary treatment for most inland discharges. As a secondary plant, ETE Esmeraldas meets the standard for its scale and location.
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