Tuxtla Chico Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chiapas, Mexico

The Tuxtla Chico wastewater treatment plant is located in the city of Tuxtla Chico, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 8,215 residents, classifying it as a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 kilometers from the coast, 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. This treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 1,676.16 cubic meters per day, and it currently discharges an average of 777.60 cubic meters daily, indicating it operates below its full capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean via the coastal watershed of Chiapas. The region's aquatic ecosystems benefit from the plant's pollution reduction, as untreated wastewater could harm local streams and downstream habitats. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this ecologically diverse area.

The Tuxtla Chico plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Pacific coastal watershed of Chiapas. These waters flow through the Soconusco region, a biologically rich area known for its tropical forests and wetlands, before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution, safeguarding aquatic life and supporting the ecological health of downstream ecosystems, including mangrove estuaries and coastal lagoons.