ETE MADRI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil

ETE MADRI is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Parque Residencial Madri neighborhood of Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The plant serves a population of 5,117, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Brazilian regulatory frameworks. It is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the Atlantic Ocean, and its operations are subject to national environmental standards. As a small-scale facility, ETE MADRI is expected to meet treatment requirements set by Brazilian regulations, which typically mandate secondary treatment or equivalent for discharges into sensitive water bodies. Brazilian wastewater treatment plants are regulated under CONAMA resolutions and state-level environmental agencies, which establish discharge standards based on receiving water body classification. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal watershed of Santa Catarina. The region's coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and estuaries, are ecologically sensitive and support diverse aquatic life. Proper treatment is essential to protect these environments from nutrient pollution and other contaminants associated with urban wastewater.

ETE MADRI discharges into the local watershed of Palhoça, which is part of the Atlantic coastal basin in Santa Catarina. The receiving waters ultimately flow into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and estuarine habitats. These areas are important for fish spawning and migratory bird species, making effective wastewater treatment critical to maintaining water quality and ecological balance.