Overview
Tilaco wastewater treatment plant in Querétaro, Mexico, serves 529 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 50.11 m³/day of treated wastewater, with a designed capacity of 172.80 m³/day.
Tilaco wastewater treatment plant is located in the community of Tilaco, within the municipality of Landa de Matamoros, Querétaro, Mexico. The plant serves a small population of 529 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or semi-rural setting. As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 172.80 m³/day and currently discharges 50.11 m³/day of treated wastewater, indicating it operates below its full capacity. In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the National Water Law (Ley de Aguas Nacionales) and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets maximum permissible limits for pollutants in treated wastewater discharged to water bodies. For small communities like Tilaco, secondary treatment is typically sufficient to meet these standards. The treated effluent is likely discharged into a local stream or arroyo that eventually drains into the Pánuco River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant helps protect local water quality and downstream ecosystems, including the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, a region of high biodiversity. By treating wastewater, the facility reduces nutrient loading and pathogen risks in the surrounding environment.
Environmental context
The Tilaco plant discharges into a local watercourse that is part of the Pánuco River basin, one of Mexico's major river systems. The Pánuco River flows northeast through the states of Querétaro, Hidalgo, and Veracruz before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a corridor for migratory birds. The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated area, lies nearby and is known for its cloud forests and endemic species. Proper wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent contamination of these fragile ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The Tilaco wastewater treatment plant is located in the community of Tilaco, in the municipality of Landa de Matamoros, Querétaro, Mexico. Its address is La Lagunita - Tilaco, Tilaco, Landa de Matamoros, Querétaro.
The Tilaco plant serves a population of 529 people, making it a small-scale facility designed for a rural community.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to break down organic matter and remove suspended solids. This level of treatment is standard for small communities in Mexico.
The treated effluent from the Tilaco plant is discharged into a local stream that is part of the Pánuco River basin. The Pánuco River eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
In Mexico, wastewater treatment plants like Tilaco are regulated under the National Water Law and NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets limits for pollutants in treated wastewater. For small communities, secondary treatment is typically required to meet these standards.
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