Jerusalem Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico

The Jerusalem wastewater treatment plant is located in the community of Jerusalem, within the municipality of Gómez Palacio, in the state of Durango, Mexico. This facility serves a population of approximately 1,825 residents, providing essential sanitation services for this small agglomeration. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. With a designed capacity of 864.00 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 172.80 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variability. The treated effluent from the Jerusalem plant is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Nazas River basin. This river system is critical for agriculture and ecosystems in the arid region of northern Mexico, eventually flowing into the Laguna de Mayrán, an important inland wetland. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality and supports the ecological health of this sensitive arid-zone watershed.

The Jerusalem plant discharges into the Nazas River basin, a vital water source in the semi-arid Durango region. The Nazas River flows into the Laguna de Mayrán, a historically significant wetland that provides habitat for migratory birds and supports local biodiversity. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in this water-stressed environment where every drop counts for both human use and ecosystem health.