ETE Queimadas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Queimadas, Paraíba, Brazil

ETE Queimadas is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Nova Cidade neighborhood of Queimadas, a city in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. It serves an estimated population of 12,423 residents within the Campina Grande metropolitan region, part of the broader Northeast Region of the country. The plant is a key component of local sanitation infrastructure, supporting urban development and public health in this semi-arid area. Brazil's wastewater treatment standards are governed by federal regulations, including CONAMA resolutions and the National Sanitation Plan (Plansab). For agglomerations of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic load and pathogens before discharge. The plant is expected to meet these national standards as part of its operating permit. The treated effluent from ETE Queimadas is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Paraíba River basin, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The region's watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local agriculture and water supply. Proper treatment helps protect downstream ecosystems and communities from pollution.

The plant discharges into the Paraíba River basin, which flows eastward through Paraíba state before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Cabedelo. This watershed supports a variety of freshwater species and provides water for irrigation and domestic use. The semi-arid climate of the region makes water quality management particularly critical for maintaining ecological balance and human health.