ETE SAO LOURENCO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Salvador, Bahia

ETE SAO LOURENCO is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Novo Marotinho neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. It serves a small population of 86 people, reflecting its role in a localized area of this large coastal city. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for municipal wastewater in Brazil. As a secondary treatment facility, ETE SAO LOURENCO employs biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Brazilian regulations, such as CONAMA Resolution 430/2011, set effluent quality standards for treated wastewater. For small plants like this, secondary treatment is typically sufficient to meet these standards before discharge. The plant is situated within 10 km of the Atlantic coast, meaning its treated effluent likely drains into coastal waters or a nearby estuary. This proximity to the ocean underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect marine ecosystems and public health in the Salvador region.

The plant discharges into the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Salvador, Bahia. This area is part of the Todos os Santos Bay region, an ecologically important estuary that supports diverse marine life, including mangroves and coral reefs. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient pollution and protect these sensitive coastal habitats.