Malinalco Wastewater Treatment Plant - Malinalco, Estado de México, Mexico

The Malinalco wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Malinalco, Estado de México, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 5,221 residents, providing secondary treatment to manage municipal wastewater. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and plays a key role in local sanitation infrastructure. As a secondary treatment facility, Malinalco removes organic matter and suspended solids through biological processes. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,296 cubic meters per day and currently treats a discharge volume of 494.21 cubic meters per day. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is the standard for municipal plants of this scale, ensuring compliance with national water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that drain into the Balsas River basin, one of Mexico's major hydrological systems. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and communities downstream. Proper treatment at Malinalco helps protect water quality in the region, reducing nutrient and pathogen loads that could otherwise impact downstream ecosystems.

The Malinalco plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Balsas River basin, which ultimately drains into the Pacific Ocean. The Balsas River is a vital water source for central Mexico, supporting irrigation, fisheries, and biodiversity. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management critical for maintaining ecological balance and human water security.