ETE Josenópolis Wastewater Treatment Plant, Josenópolis, Minas Gerais

ETE Josenópolis is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Josenópolis, a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a small population of 1,323 residents, reflecting the rural character of the region. It operates as part of the local sanitation infrastructure managed by the municipal government. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for small agglomerations under Brazilian regulations. Brazil's National Environment Council (CONAMA) sets discharge standards through resolutions such as CONAMA 430/2011, which mandates secondary treatment for most inland water bodies. The plant's discharge volume of 112.23 cubic meters per day indicates a modest flow consistent with its small service population. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Jequitinhonha River basin, a major watershed in eastern Brazil. The Jequitinhonha River flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and communities along its course. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Jequitinhonha River basin, which flows through the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Jequitinhonha River supports a variety of fish species and is an important water source for local communities. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain the ecological health of the river system.