Overview
Altabrisa wastewater treatment plant serves 17,831 people in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. It operates under Mexico's national water regulations, discharging treated effluent into the region's groundwater system.
Altabrisa is a wastewater treatment plant located in Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, Mexico. Serving a population of approximately 17,831, it is part of the city's municipal wastewater infrastructure, which manages sewage from residential and commercial areas in the northern part of Mérida. Under Mexico's Ley de Aguas Nacionales and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, plants of this scale are required to meet secondary treatment standards for organic matter and solids removal. The plant's designed capacity of 1.00 cubic meters per second suggests it is sized to handle the local load. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with discharge limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Yucatán Peninsula's karstic aquifer system, which feeds into cenotes and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This region is ecologically sensitive due to its porous limestone geology, making groundwater protection critical. The plant plays a key role in preventing untreated sewage from contaminating the aquifer and downstream coastal ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Yucatán Peninsula's karstic aquifer, which drains through underground rivers and cenotes toward the Gulf of Mexico. This groundwater system supports unique aquatic habitats and is a primary drinking water source for the region. Protecting this aquifer from nutrient and pathogen pollution is essential for both human health and the preservation of endemic cave-dwelling species.
Frequently asked questions
Altabrisa is located in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, at Calle 58, Distrito 1, in the northern part of the city.
The plant serves approximately 17,831 people, making it a medium-sized facility for the Mérida metropolitan area.
Treated effluent from Altabrisa is discharged into the Yucatán Peninsula's karstic aquifer system, which flows through underground rivers and cenotes toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Altabrisa operates under Mexico's Ley de Aguas Nacionales and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which set discharge limits for BOD, TSS, and other pollutants to protect water quality.
For plants of this scale, secondary treatment (e.g., activated sludge or lagoon systems) is standard under Mexican regulations, ensuring removal of organic matter and solids before discharge.
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