Atemajac de Brizuela Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jalisco, Mexico

The Atemajac de Brizuela wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Atemajac de Brizuela in the southern region of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 6,159 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the local water management infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 864.00 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 604.80 cubic meters per day, the facility operates below its full capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and subsequent updates), secondary treatment is required for municipal wastewater to meet discharge standards for receiving water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Pacific Ocean via the Lerma-Santiago basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems in the region. Its operation helps reduce pollution loads in rivers and supports the ecological health of the surrounding watershed.

The plant discharges into the Lerma-Santiago basin, which flows through central Mexico and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water supply. The secondary treatment process helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream water bodies. The inland location means the effluent does not directly impact coastal marine environments, but it contributes to the overall health of the river system.