San Pedro de La Cueva Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sonora, Mexico

San Pedro de La Cueva wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of San Pedro de la Cueva, Sonora, Mexico. It serves a population of 1,222 and operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for a small community in an arid region. The plant has a designed capacity of 184.90 m³/day and currently discharges 240.19 m³/day, indicating it may be operating above its nominal capacity. As a Mexican wastewater facility, it falls under the national regulatory framework established by the Ley de Aguas Nacionales and Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOMs), particularly NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 which sets discharge limits for pollutants. For small communities like this, secondary treatment is the standard requirement to protect water quality in receiving water bodies. The plant's treated effluent is likely discharged into a local arroyo or stream that drains into the Yaqui River basin, eventually reaching the Gulf of California. This region is ecologically sensitive due to its arid climate and the importance of water resources for both human use and wildlife. The plant plays a key role in preventing untreated sewage from contaminating local water sources.

The plant discharges into the Yaqui River basin, which flows through Sonora and into the Gulf of California. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is critical for agriculture and drinking water in the region. The Gulf of California is a biologically rich marine environment, home to many endemic species. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream ecosystems.