General Lázaro Cárdenas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Durango, Mexico

The General Lázaro Cárdenas wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Pánuco de Coronado, Durango, Mexico. It serves a small population of 548 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or semi-urban community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard for municipal wastewater in Mexico under the country's water quality regulations. The plant has a designed capacity of 302.40 m³/day and currently discharges 51.84 m³/day of treated wastewater. As a secondary treatment facility, it removes organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the effluent standards set by Mexico's National Water Commission (CONAGUA). For small communities like this, secondary treatment is typically sufficient to protect local water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Pacific Ocean via the Nazas River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality, particularly in the arid region of Durango where water resources are scarce. Proper treatment helps prevent eutrophication and supports agricultural and ecological uses of the river.

The plant discharges into the Nazas River basin, a critical water source in the semi-arid region of Durango. The river flows through agricultural areas and eventually reaches the Laguna de Mayrán, an important wetland ecosystem. The treated effluent helps maintain water quality for irrigation and supports aquatic life in a region where water scarcity is a pressing concern.