Cardenas Wastewater Treatment Plant, San Luis Potosi, Mexico

The Cardenas wastewater treatment plant is located in the city of Cardenas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 7,484 people, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and treats wastewater from the local community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment level required for municipal wastewater in Mexico under the national water law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales). The designed capacity is 708.48 cubic meters per day, with a similar discharge volume, indicating full utilization. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a river or stream within the Panuco River basin, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality and public health in the region, supporting the ecological health of downstream aquatic environments.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse within the Panuco River basin, which flows eastward to the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and water supply. The secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream water bodies.