Overview
Algarrobos is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, serving 228 people with a discharge volume of 118.37 cubic meters.
Algarrobos wastewater treatment plant is located in Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, Mexico. It serves a small population of 228 residents, reflecting its role in a localized community within the city's broader sanitation network. The plant provides secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 118.37 cubic meters and a matching discharge volume, the facility operates at full capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is standard for municipal wastewater to meet discharge standards for receiving water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely contributing to the Yucatán Peninsula's karst aquifer system, which is ecologically sensitive due to its role in freshwater supply and cenote ecosystems. The region's drainage ultimately flows to the Gulf of Mexico, supporting coastal habitats.
Environmental context
The Yucatán Peninsula is characterized by a karst landscape with porous limestone, where surface water is scarce and groundwater is highly vulnerable to contamination. Treated effluent from Algarrobos likely infiltrates the aquifer or discharges into nearby sinkholes (cenotes), which are ecologically important for endemic species and migratory birds. The groundwater eventually drains to the Gulf of Mexico, affecting coastal lagoons and mangroves that serve as nurseries for marine life.
Frequently asked questions
Algarrobos is located in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, at Calle 58, Distrito 1, in the 97000 postal code area.
The plant serves a population of 228 people, indicating a small community-scale facility within Mérida.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely infiltrating the Yucatán's karst aquifer system or flowing into cenotes, which are part of the region's unique hydrology.
The plant operates under Mexican standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment is required to meet these standards.
For small communities, secondary treatment (e.g., activated sludge or lagoon systems) is common to reduce organic load and pathogens, complying with national discharge norms.
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