Los Cardos Wastewater Treatment Plant, Durango, Mexico

Los Cardos is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Los Cardos, within the municipality of Otáez, Durango, Mexico. It serves a small community of 228 people, reflecting its role in rural wastewater management. The plant is situated inland, far from coastal areas, and operates under Mexico's national water regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its small population size. It has a designed capacity of 31.97 units and currently discharges 21.60 units of treated wastewater, indicating it operates below capacity. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies, contributing to the protection of the surrounding environment. The plant's location in the Sierra Madre Occidental region means its discharge likely flows into tributaries of the Pacific slope, supporting downstream ecosystems. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Pacific slope drainage, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. The region's mountainous terrain and seasonal rainfall patterns influence water flow and quality. The treatment plant helps protect downstream aquatic habitats, including those supporting native fish and amphibian species, by reducing pollutant loads from the small community.