Bacanora Wastewater Treatment Plant - Sonora, Mexico

The Bacanora wastewater treatment plant is located in the small town of Bacanora, Sonora, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 570 residents, making it a small-scale facility designed for local needs. The plant is situated along SON 104 in the Torrencito de Chacón area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 449.28 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 106.27 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well below its capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for discharges into national waters to meet quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Yaqui River basin, one of the largest river systems in Sonora. This river flows into the Gulf of California, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities downstream. The plant's operation helps protect water quality in this arid region where water resources are critical.

The Bacanora plant discharges into the Yaqui River basin, which flows through central Sonora and empties into the Gulf of California. This watershed supports a variety of fish species and provides irrigation water for agriculture. The region's arid climate makes water quality management particularly important for maintaining ecosystem health and human water supplies.