Overview
Mezcala wastewater treatment plant in Jalisco, Mexico, serves 6,648 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 691.20 cubic meters daily near the coast of Lake Chapala.
The Mezcala wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Mezcala, within the municipality of Poncitlán in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 6,648 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process for reducing organic pollutants. With a designed capacity of 691.20 cubic meters per day and a matching discharge volume, the plant is operating at full capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for discharges into water bodies, and this plant meets that standard. The facility is situated within 10 kilometers of the coast, indicating proximity to Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest freshwater lake. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Chapala. This lake is a critical ecological resource, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation and human consumption. The plant's operation helps protect the lake from untreated sewage, contributing to the overall health of the Lerma-Chapala basin.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lake Chapala watershed, part of the larger Lerma-Chapala basin. Lake Chapala is a vital freshwater ecosystem that supports migratory birds, fish species, and local communities. The secondary treatment provided by the plant reduces organic load and pathogens, helping to maintain water quality in the lake, which is under pressure from agricultural runoff and urban development.
Frequently asked questions
The Mezcala wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Mezcala, in the municipality of Poncitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. It serves the local community and is situated near the shores of Lake Chapala.
The plant serves a population of 6,648 people, making it a small-scale municipal facility. It is designed to handle the wastewater from this community.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which drains into Lake Chapala. The discharge volume is 691.20 cubic meters per day, matching its designed capacity.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. This is the standard treatment level required under Mexican regulations for discharges into water bodies.
The plant operates under Mexico's NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 standard, which sets limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges. Secondary treatment is mandated for municipal plants of this scale to protect water quality in receiving bodies like Lake Chapala.
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