Overview
Tecolutilla wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 31,945 people in Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico. The facility is located within 50 km of the coast, discharging into the Grijalva River basin.
The Tecolutilla wastewater treatment plant is a municipal facility serving the community of Tecolutilla in the municipality of Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico. With a population served of around 31,945, it is classified as a medium-sized agglomeration under Mexican wastewater regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996). The plant is situated in the low-lying, humid tropical region of the Grijalva River basin, an area characterized by extensive wetlands and high rainfall. Under Mexican law, wastewater treatment plants serving populations between 2,500 and 50,000 are required to meet secondary treatment standards, typically involving biological processes such as activated sludge or lagoon systems. It is expected to comply with federal discharge limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The facility is likely operated by the local water utility, Sistema de Agua y Saneamiento de Comalcalco, or a state-level agency. The treated effluent from Tecolutilla ultimately drains into the Grijalva River, one of Mexico's largest river systems, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The Grijalva River supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as the endangered Mexican blindcat, and its delta provides critical habitat for migratory birds. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) means that its discharge contributes to the nutrient load entering the Gulf, potentially affecting coastal water quality and marine ecosystems.
Environmental context
The Tecolutilla plant discharges into the Grijalva River basin, which flows through the state of Tabasco and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Grijalva River is a major hydrological system supporting extensive wetlands and floodplains that provide habitat for diverse aquatic species, including fish and crustaceans. The downstream environment includes the Grijalva-Mezcalapa delta, an ecologically sensitive area that serves as a nursery for marine life and a stopover for migratory waterfowl. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters, affecting seagrass beds and coral communities in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
The Tecolutilla wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Tecolutilla, within the municipality of Comalcalco, in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. The address is Tecolutilla, Comalcalco, Tabasco, 86640, Mexico.
The Tecolutilla plant serves approximately 31,945 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility in Mexico.
The treated effluent from the Tecolutilla plant is discharged into the Grijalva River basin, which flows through Tabasco and ultimately reaches the Gulf of Mexico. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast, so its discharge contributes to the freshwater inflow into the Gulf.
The Tecolutilla plant operates under Mexico's federal wastewater regulations, primarily NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets maximum permissible limits for pollutants in treated wastewater discharged into national waters. Plants serving populations over 2,500 are required to achieve secondary treatment standards.
For a plant serving around 30,000 people in Mexico, secondary treatment is typically required, which may involve biological processes such as activated sludge, aerated lagoons, or trickling filters to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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