ETE Santo Antônio do Pinhal - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in São Paulo, Brazil

ETE Santo Antônio do Pinhal is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Santo Antônio do Pinhal, a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,885 residents, classifying it as a small-scale facility within the region's sanitation infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by Brazilian regulations (CONAMA 430/2011) for most inland water bodies. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant discharges an average of 313.05 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day. The treated effluent is released into local watercourses that drain into the Paraíba do Sul River basin, a major river system in southeastern Brazil. The Paraíba do Sul supplies water to millions of people and supports diverse aquatic ecosystems. Proper treatment at this plant helps protect downstream water quality and public health.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Paraíba do Sul River, which flows through the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes. The Paraíba do Sul basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish species and providing water for agriculture, industry, and drinking water. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollution and helps maintain the ecological balance of the river system.