San Joaquín Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sinaloa, Mexico

The San Joaquín wastewater treatment plant is located in San Joaquín (San Joaquín Viejo), a locality in the municipality of Sinaloa, Sinaloa state, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 730 residents, classifying it as a small-scale municipal facility. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. With a designed capacity of 120.96 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 69.12 m³/day, the plant operates at about 57% capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean via the Sinaloa River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and public health by reducing organic pollutants and pathogens before release.

The plant discharges into the Sinaloa River basin, which flows westward through the state of Sinaloa and empties into the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), a biologically rich marine environment. The region supports diverse aquatic life, including important fisheries and migratory bird habitats. Proper wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient loading and contamination that could harm these ecosystems.