ETE Pedra Dourada - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Pedra Dourada, Minas Gerais

ETE Pedra Dourada is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Pedra Dourada, a municipality in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a small population of 1,344 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates under Brazil's national environmental regulations, which require secondary treatment for urban wastewater discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in Brazil, ensuring removal of organic matter and suspended solids. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. The plant treats an average daily flow of 215.45 m³, consistent with the population served. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that are part of the Paraíba do Sul River basin, one of Brazil's most important river systems. This basin supplies water to millions of people and supports diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in the Paraíba do Sul and its tributaries, which ultimately flow into the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes.

The plant discharges into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, which drains the Serra da Mantiqueira and flows through the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse freshwater species and providing water for agriculture, industry, and urban centers. Downstream areas include the Paraíba do Sul estuary, a critical habitat for migratory fish and aquatic birds.