Overview
San Rafael wastewater treatment plant serves Mesa de San Rafael in Chihuahua, Mexico, with primary treatment for a population of 913. It discharges 86.40 cubic meters of treated wastewater daily.
The San Rafael wastewater treatment plant is located in Mesa de San Rafael, a locality in the municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo, Chihuahua, Mexico. The plant serves a small population of 913 residents, providing primary treatment for municipal wastewater. As a primary treatment facility, the plant uses physical processes such as sedimentation to remove settleable solids. With a designed capacity of 129.60 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 86.40 cubic meters per day, the plant operates below its capacity. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies, likely tributaries of the Rio Grande or Pacific slope rivers, given the mountainous terrain of Chihuahua. The plant's location inland and away from coastal areas reduces direct marine impact, but proper treatment is essential to protect downstream freshwater ecosystems and communities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that eventually feed into the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) basin or the Pacific Ocean via the Sierra Madre Occidental watershed. The region's mountainous terrain and seasonal rainfall patterns influence water quality, making primary treatment important for reducing sediment and organic loads. Downstream aquatic habitats support diverse species, and maintaining treatment standards helps preserve water resources for agricultural and domestic use.
Frequently asked questions
The San Rafael wastewater treatment plant is located in Mesa de San Rafael, a locality in the municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo, in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.
The San Rafael plant serves a population of 913 residents, making it a small-scale municipal treatment facility.
The plant provides primary treatment, which involves physical processes like sedimentation to remove suspended solids and reduce organic load before discharge.
In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets maximum permissible limits for pollutants in discharges to national waters.
Small communities in Mexico often use primary or secondary treatment systems, such as stabilization ponds or septic tanks, depending on local resources and regulatory requirements.
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