Cuyutlán Wastewater Treatment Plant, Colima, Mexico

The Cuyutlán wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Cuyutlán, in the municipality of Armería, Colima, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 1,048 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated near the Pacific coast, within 10 km of the shoreline. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment level required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. Its designed capacity is 864 m³/day, and it currently treats an average of 198.72 m³/day, indicating ample reserve capacity. The facility operates under Mexico's federal water quality standards, which set limits for pollutants like BOD, TSS, and pathogens. Treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely into a nearby stream or directly into the Pacific Ocean via the coastal drainage system. The receiving waters support diverse marine and coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and estuaries that are critical for fish and bird species. The plant plays a key role in protecting these habitats from untreated sewage.

The plant discharges into the Pacific coastal watershed near the town of Cuyutlán. The area features coastal lagoons and estuaries that support mangrove forests and serve as nurseries for marine life. Downstream, the waters flow into the Pacific Ocean, contributing to regional biodiversity. Protecting these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens is essential for maintaining water quality and aquatic health.