Overview
El Salado wastewater treatment plant in Sinaloa, Mexico serves 1,095 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 103.68 m³/day and is located within 10 km of the Pacific coast.
El Salado wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of El Salado, within the municipality of Elota, Sinaloa, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,095 people, making it a small-scale facility in a coastal region of northwestern Mexico. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required for municipal wastewater in Mexico under NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996. With a designed capacity of 120.96 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 103.68 m³/day, the facility operates at roughly 86% of its capacity. Mexican regulations for secondary treatment typically achieve removal of organic matter and suspended solids, though nutrient removal may be limited. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment near the Pacific coast, within 10 km of the shoreline. The receiving water body ultimately drains into the Pacific Ocean, contributing to the coastal ecosystem of the Gulf of California. This region supports diverse marine life, including important fisheries and migratory species, making proper wastewater treatment critical for water quality and ecological health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges treated wastewater into a local watercourse that flows to the Pacific Ocean, specifically into the Gulf of California. This coastal region is ecologically sensitive, supporting mangroves, estuaries, and marine habitats that are vital for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds. The Gulf of California is known for its high biodiversity and productivity, so effective treatment helps protect these downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Frequently asked questions
El Salado WWTP is located in the town of El Salado, in the municipality of Elota, Sinaloa, Mexico. It is situated near the Pacific coast, within 10 km of the shoreline.
The plant serves a population of approximately 1,095 people, classifying it as a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into a local watercourse that flows to the Pacific Ocean. The discharge volume is about 103.68 m³ per day.
The plant operates under Mexican standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets maximum permissible limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges into national waters. Secondary treatment is required for municipal plants of this scale.
For small communities in Mexico, secondary treatment is standard, often using technologies like activated sludge, aerated lagoons, or biofilters. The goal is to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
Nearby plants