Overview
El Arenal wastewater treatment plant serves Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico, with a population of 31,814. It has a designed capacity of 1.00 unit and is located within 50 km of the coast.
El Arenal is a wastewater treatment plant located in Cabo San Lucas, within the municipality of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 31,814 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category. The plant is situated near the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, a region known for its tourism and coastal ecosystems. Plants of this scale in Mexico typically operate under the national water quality regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT) and may employ secondary treatment to meet discharge standards. The designed capacity is recorded as 1.00, though the unit is unspecified. Municipal facilities in this area are generally managed by local water utilities. The treated effluent from El Arenal likely discharges into the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of California, given its proximity to the coast. The receiving waters support diverse marine life, including coral reefs and fish populations, and are important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting these coastal ecosystems from untreated wastewater.
Environmental context
El Arenal plant is located in Cabo San Lucas, near the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The treated wastewater likely discharges into the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), both of which are ecologically sensitive marine environments. These waters support diverse marine life, including coral reefs, sea turtles, and migratory fish species, and are vital for local tourism and fishing industries. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and pathogen contamination that could harm these ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
El Arenal is located in Cabo San Lucas, in the municipality of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Its address is Ildefonso Green, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.
El Arenal serves a population of approximately 31,814 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration.
Given its proximity to the coast (within 50 km), El Arenal likely discharges treated effluent into the Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of California, following Mexican discharge standards.
El Arenal operates under Mexican regulations, primarily NOM-001-SEMARNAT, which sets limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges. Plants of this scale typically require secondary treatment to meet these standards.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like El Arenal, secondary treatment (e.g., activated sludge or lagoon systems) is standard to reduce organic matter and pathogens before discharge into coastal waters.
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