ETE Turmalina MG - Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Turmalina, Minas Gerais

ETE Turmalina MG is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Turmalina, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant serves a population of about 10,128 residents, placing it in the small to medium agglomeration category. It is situated in the Região Geográfica Imediata de Capelinha, within the broader Região Geográfica Intermediária de Teófilo Otoni, in the Southeast region of Brazil. As a Brazilian wastewater facility, ETE Turmalina MG operates under the national regulatory framework established by the Ministry of Cities and state environmental agencies. For agglomerations of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent standards. It is expected to comply with CONAMA Resolution 430/2011, which sets discharge standards for wastewater treatment plants across Brazil. The plant discharges treated effluent into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Jequitinhonha River basin, a major river system in northeastern Minas Gerais. The Jequitinhonha River flows eastward to the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and communities along its course. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this semi-arid region.

The treated effluent from ETE Turmalina MG likely enters a tributary of the Jequitinhonha River, which flows through the semi-arid region of northeastern Minas Gerais. The Jequitinhonha basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water source for local communities and agriculture. Downstream, the river reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Belmonte, Bahia, where its estuary provides critical habitat for fish and migratory birds. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting the livelihoods of rural populations.