ETE Várzea do Palácio - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil

ETE Várzea do Palácio is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Várzea do Palácio district of Guarulhos, within the São Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. The plant serves a population of approximately 86,579 people, placing it in the medium-to-large agglomeration category for the region. As a Brazilian wastewater facility, the plant operates under national environmental regulations, including CONAMA resolutions and state-level permits from CETESB (Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo). For agglomerations of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent standards before discharge into receiving waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Alto Tietê basin, ultimately flowing toward the Tietê River. The Tietê River is a major watercourse in São Paulo state, passing through the metropolitan region and eventually reaching the Paraná River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Alto Tietê watershed, which drains into the Tietê River, a major river flowing through the São Paulo metropolitan region. The Tietê River ultimately joins the Paraná River system, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for millions of people. The plant's operations help reduce nutrient and organic pollution loads, contributing to the ecological health of this heavily urbanized basin.