El Chivato Wastewater Treatment Plant, Villa de Álvarez, Colima, Mexico

El Chivato is a wastewater treatment plant located in Villa de Álvarez, Colima, Mexico, serving a small population of 730 residents. The facility is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates under Mexico's national water quality regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its small scale. With a designed capacity of 86.40 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 69.12 cubic meters per day, it operates below its design capacity. Mexican wastewater treatment plants are regulated by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) under NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean via the Armería River basin. The surrounding region supports agricultural activities and diverse ecosystems, making proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting downstream water quality and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into local waterways that flow into the Armería River, which drains into the Pacific Ocean. The region's watershed supports agricultural irrigation and sustains riparian habitats. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and protects downstream aquatic ecosystems in Colima's coastal plain.