Maguarichi Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chihuahua, Mexico

Maguarichi wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Maguarichi, Chihuahua, Mexico. It serves a small population of 639 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its scale and typical for small agglomerations in Mexico. The plant has a designed capacity of 103.68 thousand cubic meters per year and currently discharges 60.48 thousand cubic meters annually. Secondary treatment ensures removal of organic matter and suspended solids. Mexican wastewater facilities are regulated under NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants into national waters. The treated effluent is released into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Pacific Ocean via the Rio Fuerte basin. The surrounding region in Chihuahua is characterized by mountainous terrain and seasonal rainfall, making water quality management important for downstream ecosystems and agricultural use.

The plant discharges into the Rio Fuerte basin, which flows through the Sierra Madre Occidental and empties into the Gulf of California. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for irrigation in the region. The secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality, though the small discharge volume limits its impact on the broader ecosystem.