ETE VERDE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

ETE VERDE is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Itaiacoca district of Ponta Grossa, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The plant serves a population of around 135,000 people, placing it in the category of a medium-to-large agglomeration under Brazilian wastewater regulations. As part of the municipal infrastructure of Ponta Grossa, it plays a key role in managing the city's domestic and industrial wastewater. Brazil's wastewater treatment standards are governed by CONAMA resolutions and state-level environmental agencies. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to reduce organic load and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's operational details, including treatment level and capacity, are part of the broader regulatory framework that aims to protect water quality in the region. The treated effluent from ETE VERDE is discharged into local streams that flow into the Tibagi River, a major tributary of the Paranapanema River, which ultimately joins the Paraná River. The Paraná River basin is one of the most important in South America, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture, industry, and human consumption. Proper treatment at ETE VERDE helps mitigate nutrient pollution and protect downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into the Tibagi River watershed, which drains into the Paranapanema River and then the Paraná River. This basin supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species, and is ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading from urban runoff and treated effluent. The region's subtropical climate and agricultural land use increase the importance of effective wastewater treatment to prevent eutrophication in downstream reservoirs.