Monte La Era Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tlacotepec, Morelos, Mexico

Monte La Era is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Tlacotepec, within the municipality of Zacualpan in the state of Morelos, Mexico. The plant serves a population of around 3,100 residents, classifying it as a small-scale facility. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the local water management infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 1,036.80 cubic meters per day, the plant currently treats about 293.76 cubic meters daily, indicating it operates well below its capacity. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and must comply with official standards (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for discharge quality. The treated effluent from Monte La Era is discharged into local water bodies, contributing to the protection of the Balsas River basin, which is the major hydrological system in the region. This basin supports agriculture and ecosystems in central Mexico, and proper treatment helps maintain water quality for downstream communities and natural habitats.

Monte La Era discharges into the local drainage network that feeds into the Balsas River basin, one of Mexico's largest river systems. The Balsas River flows southwest into the Pacific Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities along its course. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution, protecting the ecological health of the basin and downstream water users.