ETE Porteirinha Sede - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Porteirinha, Minas Gerais

ETE Porteirinha Sede is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Porteirinha, a city in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of approximately 7,801 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for a small urban community in the semi-arid region of the state. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Brazilian regulations (CONAMA Resolution 430/2011) for inland water bodies. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant discharges 734.40 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day, indicating a moderate flow for a facility of this scale. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains 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 plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in a region where water resources are critical for agriculture, livestock, and human consumption.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the São Francisco River, which flows through the semi-arid Caatinga biome before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The São Francisco basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a vital water source for millions of people. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollution, helping to maintain water quality in a region prone to drought and water scarcity.