San Jose de La Vinata Wastewater Treatment Plant, La Ferrería, Durango, Mexico

San Jose de La Vinata is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in La Ferrería, within the municipality of Durango, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 2,556 residents, classifying it as a small-scale facility under Mexican wastewater regulations. The plant is situated inland in the state of Durango, a region characterized by semi-arid climate and mountainous terrain. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by Mexican law (NOM-001-SEMARNAT) for municipal wastewater before discharge into water bodies. With a designed capacity of 259.20 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 241.92 m³/day, the facility operates at about 93% utilization, indicating consistent performance. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean via the Nazas River basin. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting downstream water quality and ecosystems, particularly in a region where water resources are scarce and sensitive to pollution. By reducing organic load and pathogens, the facility helps maintain the ecological health of the receiving waters.

The plant discharges into the Nazas River basin, which flows through the semi-arid landscapes of Durango and eventually reaches the Laguna de Mayran and the Pacific Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water source for agriculture and local communities. The secondary treatment provided by the plant helps mitigate nutrient and pathogen pollution, safeguarding the ecological balance of the river and downstream environments.