El Aguila Wastewater Treatment Plant, Aguascalientes, Mexico

El Aguila is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of El Aguila, within the municipality of Tepezalá, Aguascalientes, Mexico. The facility serves a small population of 183 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small community setting. The plant is situated in the semi-arid highlands of central Mexico, an area characterized by seasonal rainfall and limited surface water resources. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 86.40 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 17.28 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal flow variations. As a Mexican facility, it operates under the national water quality regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) that set discharge limits for pollutants into national waters. The treated effluent is likely discharged into a local arroyo or intermittent stream that drains into the Rio San Pedro or another tributary of the Rio Grande de Santiago basin, ultimately flowing into the Pacific Ocean. The surrounding region supports agricultural activities and small-scale livestock, making the protection of local water bodies essential for both human use and ecosystem health.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that is part of the Rio Grande de Santiago basin, which flows through the states of Aguascalientes and Jalisco before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The semi-arid climate means that surface water flows are seasonal, and the receiving waters are ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading and organic pollution. Downstream ecosystems include riparian habitats that support migratory birds and native fish species, making proper treatment critical for maintaining water quality in this water-scarce region.