ETE SITIO SANTANA - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Fortaleza, Ceará

ETE SITIO SANTANA is a secondary wastewater treatment plant located in the Jardim Violeta neighborhood of Barroso, Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The plant serves a small population of about 1,795 residents, reflecting its role in local sanitation infrastructure for a community within the Fortaleza metropolitan area. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. In Brazil, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under national standards such as CONAMA resolutions, which set discharge limits for pollutants. For small plants like this, secondary treatment is typical and aligns with the country's efforts to improve water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, with the plant located within 10 km of the Atlantic coast. This proximity to the coast means that the discharge can affect coastal water quality and marine ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water bodies and the coastal zone from untreated sewage, supporting public health and environmental sustainability in the region.

The plant discharges into the local watershed that drains into the Atlantic Ocean near Fortaleza. The coastal waters of Ceará support diverse marine life, including fish and crustaceans, and are important for local fisheries and tourism. Proper treatment helps reduce nutrient and pathogen loads, protecting these ecosystems from eutrophication and contamination.