Caucel II Wastewater Treatment Plant, Caucel, Yucatán, Mexico

Caucel II is a wastewater treatment plant located in the community of Caucel, part of the Mérida metropolitan area in Yucatán, Mexico. The plant serves a population of 228, classifying it as a very small-scale facility within the region's wastewater infrastructure. As a small plant in Mexico, Caucel II is subject to the country's federal water quality standards, which require treatment appropriate for the receiving environment. Plants of this scale typically employ basic treatment systems such as septic tanks or small package plants, overseen by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) and local water authorities. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into local groundwater or a nearby watercourse, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico via the Yucatán Peninsula's karst aquifer system. The region's porous limestone geology makes groundwater protection particularly important for preserving water quality and the sensitive coastal ecosystems of the northern Yucatán.

Caucel II is located inland on the Yucatán Peninsula, approximately 50 km from the Gulf of Mexico coast. The region's karst topography means that wastewater discharges can rapidly infiltrate the aquifer, which feeds coastal springs and wetlands. Protecting this groundwater is critical for maintaining the ecological health of the nearby coastal lagoons and mangrove forests, which support diverse aquatic life and serve as important migratory bird habitats.