Overview
El Higueral wastewater treatment plant in Sinaloa, Mexico, serves a population of 4,016 with secondary treatment. It discharges 380.16 cubic meters daily near the Pacific coast.
El Higueral is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of El Higueral, within the municipality of Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The facility serves a population of approximately 4,016 people and operates with a designed capacity of 449.28 cubic meters per day, currently treating 380.16 cubic meters daily. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater. This level of treatment removes organic matter and suspended solids, reducing pollution loads before discharge. The plant's capacity utilization suggests it is operating below its design capacity, allowing for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely into a nearby watercourse that drains into the Pacific Ocean. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can affect coastal water quality and marine ecosystems. Proper treatment is essential to protect the Gulf of California's biodiversity and support local fisheries and tourism.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local drainage system that ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean near the Gulf of California. This coastal region supports diverse marine life, including commercially important fish species and migratory birds. The proximity to the coast means that any untreated or inadequately treated effluent could impact nearshore water quality and sensitive habitats such as mangroves and estuaries.
Frequently asked questions
El Higueral plant is located in the town of El Higueral, within the municipality of Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Its full address is La Divisa, El Higueral, Culiacán, Sinaloa.
The plant serves a population of approximately 4,016 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Mexican wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local watercourse that drains toward the Pacific Ocean. With a discharge volume of 380.16 cubic meters per day, the secondary treatment ensures compliance with Mexican standards for organic matter and solids removal.
The plant protects local waterways that flow into the Pacific Ocean near the Gulf of California. By treating wastewater, it helps maintain water quality in coastal ecosystems that support fisheries and biodiversity.
The plant operates under Mexico's NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment is the minimum required for plants of this scale, ensuring protection of receiving waters.
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