Cañadas de Obregón Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jalisco, Mexico

The Cañadas de Obregón wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Cañadas de Obregón, within the Altos Sur region of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 3,049 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 sanitation infrastructure. The plant employs secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. It has a designed capacity of 691.20 cubic meters per day and discharges a similar volume, indicating full utilization. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), 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 River basin, one of Mexico's most important hydrological systems. This basin supports agriculture and provides water for communities downstream. Proper treatment helps protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems in the region.

The plant's discharge flows into the Lerma-Santiago River basin, which drains into the Pacific Ocean via the Santiago River and eventually the Gulf of California. This watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing irrigation for agriculture in Jalisco. The region's seasonal rainfall patterns influence river flows, making consistent wastewater treatment crucial for maintaining water quality during dry periods.