Ejido Palo Gacho Wastewater Treatment Plant, Acateno, Puebla

Ejido Palo Gacho is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Ejido Palo Gacho, within the municipality of Acateno, Puebla, Mexico. The plant serves a population of 1,643, classifying it as a small-scale facility under Mexican wastewater regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by Mexican law (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. With a designed capacity and actual discharge volume of 155.52 units, the plant operates at full capacity, treating the community's wastewater effectively. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Gulf of Mexico via the Tecolutla River system. This discharge supports downstream aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands and coastal habitats, which are ecologically sensitive areas that benefit from proper wastewater treatment.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Tecolutla River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The downstream environment includes coastal wetlands and estuaries that support diverse aquatic life, including fish and migratory birds. Proper secondary treatment helps protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.