El Cañaveral Wastewater Treatment Plant, Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico

El Cañaveral is a wastewater treatment plant located in Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico. It serves a population of around 5,093 people, classifying it as a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates within the urban infrastructure of Córdoba. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small agglomerations in Mexico. It has a designed capacity of 482.11 cubic meters per day, which matches its current discharge volume, indicating full utilization. Mexican wastewater treatment plants are regulated under NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants based on receiving water body type. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Gulf of Mexico via the Papaloapan River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream ecosystems, including rivers and coastal waters, from untreated sewage. Its operation supports water quality in the region, which is important for both human use and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Papaloapan River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is important for regional biodiversity. The secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, mitigating impacts on downstream water quality and ecosystems.