Huepac Wastewater Treatment Plant, Huépac, Sonora, Mexico

The Huepac wastewater treatment plant is located in Huépac, Sonora, Mexico, serving a population of approximately 1,280 residents. This small-scale facility plays a vital role in managing domestic wastewater for this rural community in the Sonoran Desert region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its size and aligns with Mexican wastewater regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) that set discharge standards for municipal wastewater. The facility has a designed capacity of 195.26 m³/day and currently treats an average daily flow of 266.98 m³/day, indicating operation above its nominal capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, contributing to the protection of the Sonora River basin. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this arid region, where water resources are scarce and sensitive to pollution. Downstream, the waters eventually drain to the Gulf of California, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Sonora River basin, which flows through the Sonoran Desert and ultimately reaches the Gulf of California. This arid watershed supports limited but ecologically important riparian habitats. The treated effluent helps maintain base flows in the river, which is critical for local wildlife and downstream communities that rely on this water source.