Heriberto Jara Wastewater Treatment Plant, Heriberto Jara (La Haciendita), Nayarit, Mexico

The Heriberto Jara wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Heriberto Jara (La Haciendita), within the municipality of Ahuacatlán, Nayarit, Mexico. This facility serves a population of approximately 1,552 residents, making it a small-scale municipal treatment plant. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the local water management infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 190.08 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 146.88 cubic meters per day, the facility operates below its design capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and subsequent updates), secondary treatment is required for municipal wastewater discharges to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies, contributing to the protection of the surrounding environment. The plant plays a role in safeguarding the health of the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Pacific Ocean via the Río Grande de Santiago or other regional rivers. Proper treatment helps prevent pollution and supports the ecological balance of the area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into local streams that are part of the larger Río Grande de Santiago basin, which flows westward to the Pacific Ocean. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local agriculture and communities. The secondary treatment process reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in the downstream environment and minimize impacts on sensitive ecosystems.