Joyas del Mar Wastewater Treatment Plant, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico

Joyas del Mar is a wastewater treatment plant located in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico, serving a population of 5,476. The plant is situated in the coastal city of Zihuatanejo de Azueta, a popular tourist destination on the Pacific coast. As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 518.40 volume units and treats an equal volume daily, indicating full utilization. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and NOM-002-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is the standard for municipal wastewater to meet discharge quality criteria. The plant's operation is part of the municipal infrastructure managed by local authorities. The treated effluent is discharged into the Pacific Ocean, given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km). This discharge affects the coastal marine environment of Zihuatanejo Bay, which supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal ecosystem from untreated sewage.

The plant discharges into the Pacific Ocean near Zihuatanejo Bay, a coastal ecosystem that supports marine biodiversity, including fish, crustaceans, and migratory species. The bay is part of the larger Mexican Pacific coastal zone, which is ecologically sensitive due to its role in nutrient cycling and habitat provision. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect coral reefs and seagrass beds in the region.