San Jose de Hernandez Wastewater Treatment Plant, San José de los Hernández, Chihuahua

San Jose de Hernandez is a secondary-level wastewater treatment plant located in San José de los Hernández, a small community in the municipality of Satevó, Chihuahua, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 183 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for a rural agglomeration. Its designed capacity is 69.12 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 17.28 cubic meters per day. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant reduces organic matter and suspended solids before discharge, aligning with Mexican water quality standards (NOM-001-SEMARNAT). For small communities like this, secondary treatment is typical and sufficient to meet environmental regulations. The plant's operation is part of Mexico's national water infrastructure managed by CONAGUA and local utilities. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that eventually drain into the Rio Conchos basin, a tributary of the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo). This river system supports agricultural irrigation and provides habitat for diverse aquatic species. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality in the arid Chihuahuan Desert region.

The plant discharges into the Rio Conchos watershed, which flows northeast to join the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) near Ojinaga, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This arid region relies on limited surface water for agriculture and domestic use. The secondary treatment process helps reduce nutrient loading and organic pollution, safeguarding aquatic life in the river system, which supports species such as the Rio Grande silvery minnow and various migratory birds.