Tecolapa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Colima, Mexico

Tecolapa is a wastewater treatment plant located in the town of Tecolapa, within the municipality of Tecomán, Colima, Mexico. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,009 residents, making it a small-scale municipal plant. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates under Mexico's national water regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for municipal wastewater in Mexico under the NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 standard. With a designed capacity of 345.60 cubic meters per day, it currently treats about 103.68 cubic meters daily, indicating a utilization rate of around 30%. This suggests the plant has capacity to accommodate future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean via the Armería River basin. The region's hydrology supports agricultural activities and diverse ecosystems. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic life in the coastal zone.

The plant's discharge flows into the Armería River basin, which drains into the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Colima. This watershed supports agricultural irrigation and provides habitat for freshwater species. The secondary treatment process reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in the river and downstream coastal environment, which is important for local fisheries and biodiversity.