Overview
Santo Domingo Tomaltepec wastewater treatment plant in Oaxaca, Mexico, provides secondary treatment for a small community of 913 people. It discharges 86.40 cubic meters of treated wastewater daily.
The Santo Domingo Tomaltepec wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Santo Domingo Tomaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. It serves a small population of 913 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or peri-urban setting. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, but within 50 km of the Pacific Ocean. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. It has a designed capacity of 86.40 cubic meters per day, matching the reported discharge volume, indicating full utilization. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent likely discharges into a local stream or arroyo that drains into the Pacific Ocean via the region's hydrological network. Oaxaca's watersheds support diverse ecosystems, including dry tropical forests and coastal lagoons. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic life in these sensitive environments.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent likely enters a local tributary of the Atoyac River or a similar watercourse that flows toward the Pacific Ocean. The region's watersheds are ecologically significant, supporting dry tropical forests and seasonal wetlands. Downstream, the waters contribute to coastal lagoons and estuaries that serve as critical habitats for migratory birds and marine species. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain the ecological balance of these interconnected systems.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Santo Domingo Tomaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico, at coordinates 17.061000 N, -96.623000 W.
The plant serves a population of 913 people, indicating a small community wastewater system.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local watercourse, likely a stream or arroyo, which eventually drains to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required under Mexican regulations for municipal wastewater to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
The plant operates under Mexican standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants. For small communities like this, secondary treatment is typically sufficient to meet environmental requirements.
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