Ixtolco de Morelos Wastewater Treatment Plant, Puebla, Mexico

The Ixtolco de Morelos wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Ixtolco de Morelos, within the municipality of Cuautempan, Puebla, Mexico. It serves a small population of approximately 1,095 residents, reflecting its role as a local municipal facility in a rural setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 103.68 cubic meters and a similar discharge volume, it operates at full capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and subsequent updates), secondary treatment is required for discharges into national waters, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Gulf of Mexico via the Tecolutla River basin. This downstream connection highlights the plant's role in protecting aquatic ecosystems and downstream communities from untreated wastewater pollution.

The plant discharges into the Tecolutla River basin, which flows eastward to the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and local communities. The secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and pathogens, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream coastal areas.