Tlalixtac de Cabrera Wastewater Treatment Plant, Oaxaca, Mexico

The Tlalixtac de Cabrera wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Tlalixtac de Cabrera, Oaxaca, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 2,738 residents, classifying it as a small-scale facility within the state's wastewater infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. With a designed capacity of 518.40 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 259.20 m³/day, the facility operates at about 50% of its capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean via the Atoyac River basin. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting downstream ecosystems and communities from untreated sewage, particularly in a region known for its biodiversity and agricultural activities.

The plant's discharge enters the Atoyac River basin, which flows through the Central Valleys of Oaxaca and ultimately reaches the Pacific Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for irrigation and domestic use downstream. The secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, mitigating eutrophication risks in receiving waters.