Nustar Wastewater Treatment Plant, Emiliano Zapata, Morelos, Mexico

Nustar is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Emiliano Zapata, Morelos, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 6,389 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet local sanitation needs. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates within the state of Morelos, a region known for its agricultural and urban development. The plant applies secondary treatment processes, which typically involve biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 1,296.00 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 604.80 cubic meters per day, the facility operates below its full capacity. Under Mexican regulations, wastewater treatment plants are required to comply with NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets limits on pollutants in treated wastewater discharged into national waters. The treated effluent from Nustar is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Balsas River basin, one of Mexico's major river systems. The Balsas River flows southwest into the Pacific Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural activities along its course. Proper treatment at Nustar helps protect downstream water quality and the ecological health of the region.

Nustar's treated wastewater enters local waterways that are part of the Balsas River basin, which drains into the Pacific Ocean. The Balsas River supports a variety of aquatic life and is important for irrigation in the region. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants, helping to maintain water quality in downstream ecosystems and preventing eutrophication in receiving waters.