Atequiza Atotonilquillo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Atequiza, Jalisco, Mexico

The Atequiza Atotonilquillo wastewater treatment plant is located in Atequiza, within the municipality of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 14,604 people, placing it in the small to medium agglomeration category for Mexican wastewater infrastructure. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and overseen by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). For plants serving populations around 15,000, secondary treatment is typically required to meet discharge standards. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into local water bodies that drain into the Lerma-Chapala basin, one of Mexico's most important hydrological systems. This basin ultimately flows into Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in Mexico, which supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for irrigation and human consumption. Proper treatment is essential to protect this ecologically sensitive lake from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.

The plant is located within the Lerma-Chapala basin, which drains into Lake Chapala, a critical freshwater resource in western Mexico. Lake Chapala supports a variety of fish species and migratory birds, and its water quality is vital for downstream communities and agriculture. The plant's discharge, if not adequately treated, could contribute to eutrophication and harm the lake's ecological balance.