ETE JIJOCA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Ceará

ETE JIJOCA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Jijoca de Jericoacoara, a coastal town in the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil. The facility serves a small population of approximately 796 residents, reflecting the scale of a small agglomeration. The plant is situated near the Jericoacoara National Park, a popular tourist destination, and operates under Brazil's national environmental regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for most municipal wastewater in Brazil under CONAMA Resolution 430/2011. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. For small communities like Jijoca de Jericoacoara, secondary treatment is generally adequate to protect local water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is characterized by coastal dunes, lagoons, and mangrove ecosystems that are ecologically sensitive. The plant plays a crucial role in preventing untreated sewage from reaching these valuable coastal habitats and the nearby Jericoacoara beach, a protected area known for its biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the coastal watershed of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean via small coastal streams and lagoons. The area includes the Jericoacoara National Park, a protected area with dunes, mangroves, and freshwater lagoons that support diverse aquatic life. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain the ecological health of these sensitive coastal ecosystems.