Higuera Blanca Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nayarit, Mexico

Higuera Blanca is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Higuera Blanca, within the municipality of Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,369 residents, making it a small-scale facility catering to a local community. Its location near the Pacific coast places it in an environmentally sensitive coastal zone. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 172.80 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 129.60 m³/day, the facility operates below its maximum capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for discharges to coastal waters to protect marine ecosystems. The treated effluent is discharged into the Pacific Ocean via local drainage, likely through an estuary or direct outfall. The surrounding area includes tourist developments and natural habitats such as mangroves and coastal lagoons. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect the biodiversity of Bahía de Banderas, a significant ecological and economic resource.

The plant discharges into the Pacific Ocean near Bahía de Banderas, a large bay on Mexico's Pacific coast. This bay supports diverse marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and sea turtles, and is an important area for tourism and fishing. The nearby coastal wetlands and mangroves provide critical habitat for migratory birds and juvenile marine species. Effective wastewater treatment is vital to maintain water quality and prevent eutrophication in this ecologically sensitive coastal environment.