Quiriego Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sonora, Mexico | Small-Scale Municipal Facility

The Quiriego wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Quiriego, Sonora, Mexico. It serves a population of 1,185, classifying it as a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated in an inland area, more than 10 km from the coast but within 50 km. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process for removing organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 224.64 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 143.42 m³/day, the plant operates below its maximum capacity. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants into national waters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or river that drains into the Gulf of California. The plant's operation helps protect downstream ecosystems and water quality in the Sonora region, supporting agricultural and ecological uses of local water resources.

The Quiriego plant discharges into a local watercourse that flows through the Sonora River basin, eventually reaching the Gulf of California. This coastal region supports diverse marine life and is important for fisheries. The secondary treatment process reduces organic load and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in the receiving water body and minimize impacts on downstream aquatic habitats.