ETE MONTE AZUL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Monte Azul, Minas Gerais, Brazil

ETE MONTE AZUL is a wastewater treatment plant located in Monte Azul, a municipality in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of around 12,544, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category. It is situated in the Região Geográfica Imediata de Espinosa, within the broader Região Geográfica Intermediária de Montes Claros. Brazil's wastewater treatment standards are governed by federal regulations, including CONAMA resolutions and the National Basic Sanitation Plan (PLANSAB). For plants serving populations of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent quality standards. It operates within this regulatory framework. The plant discharges into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the São Francisco River basin, one of Brazil's most important river systems. The São Francisco River flows northward through the semi-arid Sertão region and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and human consumption in a region characterized by seasonal droughts.

The plant is located in the São Francisco River basin, which drains a vast area of eastern Brazil and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The receiving water body is likely a tributary of the São Francisco River, which supports critical ecosystems in the semi-arid Caatinga biome. The river is a vital water source for irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power, and its ecological health is essential for local biodiversity, including migratory fish species.