Santa Gertrudis de Los Ruices Wastewater Treatment Plant, Satevó, Chihuahua

Santa Gertrudis de Los Ruices is a wastewater treatment plant located in Satevó, Chihuahua, Mexico. It serves a small population of 91 people, reflecting its role in a rural setting. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and contributes to local water management in the region. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is appropriate for its small scale. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is standard for municipal wastewater to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The designed capacity is 17.28 thousand cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 8.64 thousand cubic meters per day, indicating operational capacity below design. The treated effluent likely discharges into local water bodies that drain into the Rio Conchos basin, a tributary of the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo). This river system supports agricultural activities and provides water for communities downstream. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this arid region, where water resources are critical for both human use and ecosystem health.

The plant is located in the Rio Conchos watershed, which flows into the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) and ultimately reaches the Gulf of Mexico. This arid region relies heavily on surface water for irrigation and drinking. The secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants, helping to maintain water quality in the river system, which supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water source for agriculture and communities downstream.