ETE SAO THOMAS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul

ETE SAO THOMAS is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ponta Porã, a city in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The plant serves a population of about 5,397 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Brazilian regulatory frameworks. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for most urban wastewater in Brazil under CONAMA Resolution 430/2011 and the National Basic Sanitation Plan (PLANSAB). Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant discharges an average of 618.97 cubic meters of treated effluent per day. The treated effluent is released into local water bodies that drain into the Paraná River basin, one of the most significant hydrological systems in South America. The Paraná River flows into the Río de la Plata estuary, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture, industry, and communities downstream.

The plant's discharge enters tributaries of the Paraná River, which flows through the Paraná Basin into the Río de la Plata. This basin supports important wetlands and floodplains that provide habitat for migratory birds and fish species. The region's tropical climate and agricultural activity make proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality.