Overview
ETE Santa Cruz serves Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, treating wastewater for approximately 27,000 residents. The plant operates under Brazil's national water quality regulations.
ETE Santa Cruz is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Santa Cruz, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. It serves a population of approximately 26,839 people, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for Brazilian sanitation infrastructure. Brazil's wastewater treatment standards are governed by CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 and the National Basic Sanitation Plan (PLANSAB). For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic load and pathogens before discharge. Regulatory compliance is expected under state-level environmental licensing. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Piranhas-Açu River basin, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This region of Rio Grande do Norte is semi-arid, making water quality management critical for local ecosystems and downstream communities.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which flows through the semi-arid Caatinga biome before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Macau. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local agriculture and fishing. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for maintaining ecological balance in a region with seasonal rainfall.
Frequently asked questions
ETE Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The plant serves the urban area of the municipality.
The plant serves approximately 26,839 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Brazilian sanitation guidelines.
The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that are part of the Piranhas-Açu River basin, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
The plant operates under Brazil's CONAMA Resolution 430/2011, which sets effluent quality standards, and state-level environmental licensing from Rio Grande do Norte.
For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typical, often using activated sludge or stabilization ponds, to meet organic load and pathogen reduction standards.
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