ETE RUSSAS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Russas, Ceará, Brazil

ETE RUSSAS is a wastewater treatment plant located in Vila Ramalho, Russas, in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The plant serves a population of approximately 19,835 people, making it a medium-sized facility for the region. It operates within the Jaguaribe River basin, which is a key water resource in northeastern Brazil. As a Brazilian wastewater treatment plant, ETE RUSSAS is subject to national regulations under CONAMA resolutions and state-level environmental licensing from the Superintendência Estadual do Meio Ambiente (SEMACE) of Ceará. For agglomerations of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent standards for organic matter and suspended solids. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with discharge limits. The treated effluent from ETE RUSSAS ultimately discharges into the Jaguaribe River, which flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Aracati. The Jaguaribe River is the largest river in Ceará and supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species important for local fisheries. The plant plays a critical role in protecting downstream water quality and the coastal ecosystem of the Jaguaribe estuary.

ETE RUSSAS discharges into the Jaguaribe River, which flows approximately 610 km eastward to the Atlantic Ocean near Aracati, forming an important estuary. The Jaguaribe basin is a semi-arid region where water resources are scarce, making the river vital for irrigation, drinking water, and biodiversity. The estuary supports mangroves and serves as a nursery for fish and crustaceans, requiring careful management of nutrient and pollutant loads from upstream sources.