Overview
El Pescadero wastewater treatment plant in Baja California Sur, Mexico, serves 2,738 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 259.20 m³/day and is located near the Pacific coast.
El Pescadero is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the town of El Pescadero, within the municipality of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,738 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for this coastal community. The facility operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its scale. With a designed capacity of 302.40 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 259.20 m³/day, the plant operates below its design capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for discharges to coastal waters, and the plant's treatment level aligns with these standards. The plant is situated within 10 km of the Pacific Ocean, and its treated effluent likely discharges into a nearby arroyo or directly to the coast, ultimately reaching the Pacific. The surrounding region supports diverse marine life, including important fisheries and migratory species. Proper treatment is essential to protect coastal water quality and the ecological health of the Gulf of California and Pacific Ocean ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Pacific coastal zone near El Pescadero, part of the larger Gulf of California region. This area supports rich marine biodiversity, including sea turtles, whales, and commercially important fish species. The arid Baja California Sur climate means limited freshwater dilution, making effective wastewater treatment critical to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect nearshore habitats.
Frequently asked questions
El Pescadero WWTP is located in the town of El Pescadero, in the municipality of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, near the Pacific coast.
The plant serves approximately 2,738 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility.
The plant uses secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent at a rate of 259.20 m³/day, likely into a local arroyo or directly to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under Mexico's NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants into national waters, including coastal zones.
For small communities in Mexico, secondary treatment is standard, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems, to meet NOM-001 standards for coastal discharge.
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