Chamizal Wastewater Treatment Plant, El Chamizal, Chihuahua, Mexico

The Chamizal wastewater treatment plant is located in El Chamizal, a locality in the municipality of Satevó, Chihuahua, Mexico. It serves a small population of 392 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or semi-rural community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids, meeting basic environmental standards for such facilities. With a designed capacity of 51.84 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 43.20 m³/day, the plant operates at a utilization rate of approximately 83%. This indicates efficient use of its capacity. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants. Secondary treatment is typical for small communities, ensuring compliance with these standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies, likely tributaries of the San Pedro River or other arroyos in the region. This water eventually drains into the Conchos River, a major tributary of the Rio Grande (Río Bravo), which flows to the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's operation helps protect downstream ecosystems and water quality in this arid region of northern Mexico.

The Chamizal plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Conchos River basin, which flows into the Rio Grande and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. This arid region relies on these water bodies for agriculture and wildlife. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic load and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in a watershed that supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory birds.