Real del Lago Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, Mexico

Real del Lago is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Cuauhtémoc area of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, within the central region of Jalisco, Mexico. The facility serves a population of about 6,924 residents, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Mexican water management frameworks. As a small-scale municipal plant, Real del Lago operates under Mexico's national water regulations, which are enforced by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). These regulations require appropriate treatment to protect public health and the environment, with standards aligned to the intended use of the receiving water body. Typical facilities of this size employ secondary biological treatment to meet discharge standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest freshwater lake. Lake Chapala is a critical ecological and economic resource, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture, recreation, and municipal supply in the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting this important water body from untreated wastewater pollution.

Real del Lago's treated wastewater enters the local drainage network that flows into Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. Lake Chapala is an ecologically sensitive water body that supports a rich diversity of fish and bird species, including migratory waterfowl. The lake also serves as a vital water source for the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Protecting its water quality through adequate wastewater treatment is essential for maintaining the lake's ecological health and the services it provides to surrounding communities.