Overview
PAtzcuaro I Las Garzas is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving 16,429 people in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. It discharges into the Lake Pátzcuaro basin, an ecologically sensitive highland lake.
PAtzcuaro I Las Garzas is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 16,429 residents, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category under Mexican wastewater regulations. It is situated in the highlands of central Mexico, near the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro. Under Mexican environmental law (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and subsequent updates), wastewater treatment plants serving communities of this size are required to meet secondary treatment standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but the regulatory framework ensures that facilities of this scale must achieve effluent quality suitable for discharge into surface waters. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches Lake Pátzcuaro, a high-altitude lake of significant ecological and cultural importance. The lake supports diverse aquatic life, including endemic fish species, and is a critical stopover for migratory birds. The surrounding watershed is primarily agricultural and urban, making proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and protect water quality in this sensitive ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lake Pátzcuaro basin, a closed-basin highland lake in central Mexico. The lake is ecologically sensitive, supporting endemic species and serving as a vital habitat for migratory waterfowl. Downstream, the basin has no surface outlet, making it particularly vulnerable to nutrient loading and pollution. The surrounding watershed includes agricultural lands and the city of Pátzcuaro, emphasizing the need for effective wastewater treatment to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico, at Calle Portal de Lerdo, near the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro.
The plant serves approximately 16,429 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Mexican wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges into the Lake Pátzcuaro basin, a highland lake with no surface outlet, making it sensitive to pollution.
The plant operates under Mexican environmental standards, including NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets effluent limits for organic matter and suspended solids for discharges into surface waters.
For medium-sized agglomerations in Mexico, secondary treatment is typically required to meet regulatory standards, often involving biological processes like activated sludge or lagoons.
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