Quintin Arauz Wastewater Treatment Plant, Centla, Tabasco, Mexico

The Quintin Arauz wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Quintín Aráuz, within the municipality of Centla, Tabasco, Mexico. This facility serves a population of 1,825 residents, providing secondary treatment to municipal wastewater. The plant's designed capacity is 259.20 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 172.80 m³/day. As a secondary treatment plant, it follows the standards set by Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), which establish permissible limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges into national waters. For a small agglomeration of this size, secondary treatment is appropriate to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant discharges into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Grijalva River basin and the Gulf of Mexico. The region's tropical climate and proximity to coastal wetlands make proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting aquatic ecosystems and public health in the surrounding communities.

The plant discharges into the Grijalva River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico near the Pantanos de Centla, a vast wetland complex. This area supports diverse aquatic life and serves as an important habitat for migratory birds. Proper secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading and organic pollution that could otherwise impact downstream ecosystems and coastal waters.