ETE Saco Grande Wastewater Treatment Plant, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

ETE Saco Grande is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in the João Paulo neighborhood of Florianópolis, the capital city of Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil. The plant serves a population of about 2,285 residents, placing it in the small-agglomeration category under Brazilian wastewater management frameworks. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by Brazilian regulations (CONAMA resolutions) for most inland and coastal discharges. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's discharge volume is 475.20 cubic meters per day, reflecting its small service area. Located within 10 kilometers of the Atlantic coast, the plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the South Atlantic Ocean via local drainage systems. Florianópolis is situated on an island with sensitive coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and Atlantic Forest remnants. The plant plays a role in protecting these environments by treating wastewater before discharge.

The plant's treated effluent flows into local watercourses that drain into the Atlantic Ocean near Florianópolis, an island city known for its coastal lagoons and beaches. The downstream environment includes sensitive marine habitats such as seagrass beds and rocky shores that support diverse aquatic life. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient loading and protect water quality in this ecologically important coastal region.