El Tule Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tomatlán, Jalisco, Mexico

El Tule is a wastewater treatment plant located in Tomatlán, within the Costa Norte region of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves a small community of approximately 1,708 residents, providing essential sanitation services for this coastal municipality. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its scale. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for discharges into national waters, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The plant's designed capacity matches its discharge volume of 345.60 cubic meters per day, indicating efficient operation. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Pacific Ocean. This coastal region supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including mangrove forests and estuaries, which benefit from proper wastewater management. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and public health.

The plant discharges into the Pacific coastal watershed of Jalisco, with drainage flowing through small rivers and estuaries to the ocean. This region hosts ecologically sensitive coastal habitats, including mangroves and wetlands that support migratory birds and marine life. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and protects these ecosystems.