ETE Joaima Wastewater Treatment Plant, Joaima, Minas Gerais, Brazil

ETE Joaima is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Joaima, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of about 3,500 residents, placing it in the small-agglomeration category under Brazilian regulatory frameworks. It operates as part of the regional sanitation infrastructure for the Jequitinhonha River basin. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by Brazilian regulations (CONAMA Resolution 430/2011) for wastewater discharge into freshwater bodies. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Treated effluent from ETE Joaima is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately flow into the Jequitinhonha River, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The Jequitinhonha basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is important for local communities. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality and public health in the region.

ETE Joaima discharges into tributaries of the Jequitinhonha River, which flows eastward through Minas Gerais and Bahia before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Jequitinhonha basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish species and providing water for agriculture and human consumption. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollution, helping to maintain water quality in this semi-arid region where water resources are seasonally stressed.