Paso Hondo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chiapas, Mexico

Paso Hondo is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Paso Hondo, within the municipality of Frontera Comalapa in Chiapas, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,273 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for this small community. The facility operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its scale. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is standard for municipal plants to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's designed capacity of 717.12 m³/day indicates it can handle peak flows, while current discharge volume is 215.14 m³/day. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the Grijalva River basin, a major hydrological system in southern Mexico. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and communities downstream. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

The plant discharges into local waterways that flow into the Grijalva River basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This region supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish and migratory birds. The Grijalva River is a vital water source for agriculture and communities in Chiapas and Tabasco, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining downstream water quality.