Pok Ta Pok Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Pok Ta Pok is a wastewater treatment plant located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, serving a population of approximately 76,316. The plant is situated in the Hotel Zone of Cancún, a major tourist destination on the Yucatán Peninsula, and is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure managed by local authorities. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to comply with Mexico's official standards for wastewater treatment (NOM-001-SEMARNAT), which set discharge limits for pollutants based on receiving water body type. Plants in this region typically employ secondary or advanced treatment to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into the Caribbean Sea via local drainage channels or groundwater, given the karst geology of the Yucatán Peninsula. The surrounding area includes coral reefs and mangroves, making proper treatment critical for marine water quality and tourism-dependent ecosystems.

The plant is located within 50 km of the Caribbean coast, in a region characterized by porous limestone karst that allows rapid infiltration to groundwater. The receiving environment includes the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef in the world, which supports diverse marine life and is vital for local fisheries and tourism. Discharges must be carefully managed to prevent nutrient loading and protect coastal water quality.