ETE SITIO ESTRELA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

ETE SITIO ESTRELA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Caça e Pesca neighborhood of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,355 residents, making it a small-scale treatment operation within the broader Fortaleza metropolitan region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process required under Brazilian regulations (CONAMA resolutions) for most urban wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological degradation of organic matter, followed by sedimentation. The treated effluent is discharged into the local drainage system that flows toward Praia do Futuro, a popular beach on the Atlantic coast. This coastal discharge point is within 10 kilometers of the shoreline, placing the plant in a sensitive coastal zone. The receiving waters ultimately enter the South Atlantic Ocean, supporting marine ecosystems including coral reefs and coastal fisheries. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality and public health in this recreational and ecologically important area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Praia do Futuro coastal area, which drains directly into the South Atlantic Ocean. This coastal zone supports diverse marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and sea turtles, and is an important recreational area for Fortaleza. The proximity to the ocean means that even secondary-treated effluent can contribute to nutrient loading, potentially affecting local water quality and marine habitats. Effective treatment is critical to minimize ecological impacts on this dynamic coastal environment.