Atletica Wastewater Treatment Plant, San Miguel el Alto, Jalisco

Atletica is a wastewater treatment plant located in San Miguel el Alto, within the Altos Sur region of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 3,651 people, classifying it as a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the local sanitation infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a design capacity of 345.60 volume units and a discharge volume matching that figure, the facility appears to operate at 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 eventually drain into the Lerma-Santiago basin, a major hydrological system in western Mexico. This basin supports agricultural activities and provides water for communities downstream. Proper treatment at Atletica helps protect water quality in the region's rivers and contributes to the overall health of the watershed.

The plant discharges into the Lerma-Santiago basin, which flows through Jalisco and into the Pacific Ocean via the Santiago River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is used for irrigation and drinking water supply. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management critical for sustaining local ecosystems and human needs.