Ensenada Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sinaloa, Mexico

The Ensenada wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Elota, Sinaloa, Mexico. It serves a small population of 443 people, reflecting its role in a rural or peri-urban community. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and treats wastewater from the local area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 172.80 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 129.60 cubic meters per day, it operates below its full capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for discharges into water bodies, and the plant's performance is likely monitored by the local water authority. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a river or stream within the Sinaloa watershed. This region drains into the Pacific Ocean via the Gulf of California. The plant's operation helps protect downstream ecosystems, including aquatic habitats and agricultural water users, by reducing pollutant loads.

The Ensenada plant discharges into a local watercourse within the Sinaloa basin, which ultimately flows into the Pacific Ocean via the Gulf of California. The region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local agriculture and fisheries. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality in this semi-arid region, where water resources are limited and sensitive to pollution.