ETE Porto Pelotas - Pelotas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Brazil

ETE Porto Pelotas is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving the city of Pelotas in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The plant is situated on the campus of the Federal University of Pelotas and serves a population of about 45,939 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category. As a Brazilian wastewater facility, ETE Porto Pelotas operates under the national environmental regulations overseen by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and state-level agencies. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Patos Lagoon, a large coastal lagoon connected to the Atlantic Ocean. The Patos Lagoon is an ecologically important estuary that supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical habitat for migratory birds and fish species.

The plant discharges into the Patos Lagoon watershed, a vast coastal lagoon system in southern Brazil. The lagoon connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the Rio Grande channel, supporting a mix of freshwater and marine ecosystems. This area is ecologically sensitive, providing nursery grounds for fish and hosting diverse bird populations. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent can influence coastal water quality.