Francisco I Madero Wastewater Treatment Plant, Paraíso, Tabasco

Francisco I Madero is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Francisco I. Madero, within the municipality of Paraíso, Tabasco, Mexico. The plant serves a population of 3,423 people, making it a small-scale facility in the region. It is situated near the Gulf of Mexico coast, less than 10 kilometers from the shoreline. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT) for municipal wastewater before discharge. The designed capacity is 432 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 324 m³/day, indicating the plant is operating below its full capacity. As a small agglomeration, the plant's treatment level aligns with national norms for protecting coastal waters. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The region's coastal ecosystem includes mangroves and estuaries that support diverse aquatic life. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient loading and protect the sensitive marine environment of the southern Gulf of Mexico.

The plant discharges into local waterways that flow into the Gulf of Mexico, a major marine ecosystem. The coastal area of Tabasco features extensive mangrove forests and lagoons that serve as critical habitats for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds. Secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, mitigating eutrophication risks in the receiving waters. The proximity to the coast underscores the importance of maintaining treatment standards to protect the Gulf's biodiversity.