San Joaquín Wastewater Treatment Plant, Querétaro, Mexico

The San Joaquín wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of San Joaquín, Querétaro, Mexico. It serves a population of 2,738 and provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for municipal wastewater in Mexico under NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996. The plant has a designed capacity of 259.20 cubic meters per day and discharges a similar volume, indicating it operates near full capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, San Joaquín removes organic matter and suspended solids through biological processes, meeting Mexican discharge standards for BOD and TSS. The plant is part of Mexico's national wastewater infrastructure, which is regulated by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA). For small communities like San Joaquín, secondary treatment is appropriate and cost-effective. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Pánuco River basin, one of Mexico's major hydrological systems. The Pánuco River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and industry. Proper treatment at San Joaquín helps protect downstream water quality and ecological health.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Pánuco River basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life and is important for regional water supply. The secondary treatment process reduces organic pollutants, helping to maintain the ecological balance of the receiving water body and prevent eutrophication in downstream coastal areas.