Plomosas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hidalgo, Mexico

Plomosas wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Plomosas, within the municipality of Jacala de Ledezma, Hidalgo, Mexico. The plant serves a small population of 913 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the local water infrastructure managed by municipal authorities. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 95.04 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 86.40 cubic meters per day, it operates at high utilization. Mexican regulations under the Ley de Aguas Nacionales and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 set discharge limits for wastewater treatment plants, ensuring protection of receiving water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Gulf of Mexico via the Pánuco River basin. The surrounding region features mountainous terrain and seasonal rainfall, making water quality management important for downstream ecosystems and communities. The plant contributes to reducing pollution in this sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Pánuco River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and human use. The region's karst topography and seasonal hydrology make it vulnerable to contamination, so effective wastewater treatment is critical for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.