ETE Madre Tereza Wastewater Treatment Plant, São Ludgero, Santa Catarina

ETE Madre Tereza is a wastewater treatment plant located in São Ludgero, a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The plant serves a population of approximately 10,713 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Brazilian regulatory standards. It is situated in the Madre Tereza neighborhood, inland from the Atlantic coast. As a Brazilian wastewater facility, ETE Madre Tereza operates under the national regulatory framework established by the National Environmental Council (CONAMA) and state-level environmental agencies. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent quality standards. The treated effluent from ETE Madre Tereza is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Tubarão River basin. The Tubarão River flows through the region and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Laguna, Santa Catarina. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local agriculture and communities. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.

The plant's effluent enters the Tubarão River basin, which flows through Santa Catarina's coastal plain before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Laguna. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish populations and riparian vegetation. The region's subtropical climate and agricultural land use make effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and preventing nutrient enrichment downstream.