Overview
Puerto Morelos wastewater treatment plant serves 4,262 people in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It provides secondary treatment and discharges 403.49 m³/day, operating near the Caribbean coast.
The Puerto Morelos wastewater treatment plant is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, serving a population of 4,262. It is situated near the Caribbean coast, within 10 km of the shoreline, and plays a role in managing municipal wastewater in the region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 864.00 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 403.49 m³/day, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Caribbean Sea. The region's coastal waters support diverse marine life, including coral reefs and mangroves, making proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Caribbean Sea via local drainage, affecting the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef in the world. This ecologically sensitive area supports diverse marine species and is a critical habitat for sea turtles and fish. Nutrient and pathogen reduction from secondary treatment helps mitigate eutrophication and protect coastal water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, near the Caribbean coast.
The plant serves a population of 4,262 people.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Caribbean Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Mexican regulations for municipal wastewater.
The plant operates under NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets maximum permissible limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges to protect water bodies.
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