ETE VOLTA GRANDE IV - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro

ETE VOLTA GRANDE IV is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Volta Redonda, within the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The facility serves a population of 4,506 and operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. The plant discharges approximately 725.66 cubic meters of treated wastewater daily. As a secondary treatment plant, ETE VOLTA GRANDE IV meets the basic treatment requirements for municipal wastewater in Brazil. Brazilian regulations, such as CONAMA Resolution 430/2011, set effluent quality standards for wastewater discharges. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is appropriate and ensures that the effluent meets the necessary environmental standards before being released into the receiving water body. The treated effluent from ETE VOLTA GRANDE IV is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Paraíba do Sul River basin. The Paraíba do Sul River is a major river in southeastern Brazil, flowing through the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Campos dos Goytacazes. The river supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture, industry, and drinking water for millions of people downstream.

The plant's treated effluent enters a local tributary of the Paraíba do Sul River, which flows through the densely populated and industrialized Paraíba Valley. The Paraíba do Sul River is a vital water resource for the region, supporting ecosystems including riparian forests and fish populations. Downstream, the river discharges into the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to the coastal marine environment.