El Vidrio Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ciudad Nicolás Romero, Estado de México

El Vidrio is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ciudad Nicolás Romero, within the Estado de México region. The plant serves a population of approximately 7,302 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Mexican wastewater regulations. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates as part of the region's water infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required for municipal wastewater in Mexico under the NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 standard. With a designed capacity of 864.00 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 691.20 m³/day, the plant operates at about 80% capacity. This level of treatment effectively reduces organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is released into local streams that eventually drain into the Pánuco River basin, one of Mexico's major hydrological systems. The Pánuco River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems along its course. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality and public health in the region.

The plant discharges into local watercourses that are part of the Pánuco River basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This basin supports a variety of freshwater and estuarine habitats, including wetlands and coastal lagoons. The secondary treatment provided by El Vidrio helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollution, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream water bodies. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management particularly important for sustaining aquatic life and agricultural uses.