Poblado Guatacalca Wastewater Treatment Plant, Guatacalca, Tabasco, Mexico

Poblado Guatacalca is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Guatacalca, within the municipality of Nacajuca, Tabasco, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,107 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for this small community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 864.00 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 388.80 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and the official standards NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and NOM-002-SEMARNAT-1996, which set discharge limits for pollutants into national waters and sewer systems. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Grijalva River basin, one of Mexico's major hydrological systems. The Grijalva River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and communities downstream. The plant's operation helps protect these waters from untreated sewage pollution.

The plant discharges into the Grijalva River basin, which flows through the state of Tabasco and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This region features extensive wetlands and floodplains that support a rich diversity of aquatic life, including fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds. The Grijalva River is a critical water source for local communities and agriculture, and its health is vital for the ecological balance of the coastal zone. Proper wastewater treatment helps prevent nutrient loading and pathogen contamination in this sensitive watershed.