Overview
Cardenas wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 285,000 people in Cardenas, Tabasco, Mexico. The plant operates under Mexican wastewater regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996).
The Cardenas wastewater treatment plant is located in Heroica Cardenas, Tabasco, Mexico, serving a population of approximately 285,276. As a large agglomeration, the plant plays a critical role in managing municipal wastewater for this urban center in southeastern Mexico. Under Mexican federal regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), wastewater treatment plants of this scale are required to meet specific discharge standards for pollutants such as biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. Typical plants serving populations over 100,000 in Mexico employ secondary treatment or higher to comply with national standards. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The region's tropical climate and proximity to the Grijalva-Usumacinta river system make proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and coastal water quality.
Environmental context
The plant is located in the Grijalva-Usumacinta basin, one of Mexico's largest hydrological systems, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive due to its tropical wetlands and mangrove ecosystems. Proper treatment is vital to prevent nutrient loading and protect downstream coastal habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The Cardenas wastewater treatment plant is located in Heroica Cardenas, Cardenas, Tabasco, Mexico, at Calle Gasoducto.
The plant serves approximately 285,276 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under Mexican wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the Grijalva-Usumacinta basin, which ultimately flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under Mexican federal standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants to protect water quality.
For large agglomerations in Mexico, secondary treatment is typically required to meet national discharge standards, though some plants may employ advanced treatment depending on local conditions.
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