Villas del Cedro 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tijuana, Baja California

Villas del Cedro 2 is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Zona Río district of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,650 residents and operates as part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the Tijuana metropolitan area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. Secondary treatment is typical for plants of this scale in Mexico. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,555.2 thousand cubic meters per year and currently treats 345.6 thousand cubic meters annually, indicating operational capacity well below design. The treated effluent is discharged into the local drainage system, which ultimately flows into the Tijuana River and then into the Pacific Ocean near the US-Mexico border. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can affect coastal water quality and marine ecosystems in the region.

The plant discharges into the Tijuana River watershed, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Tijuana Estuary, an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse bird species and marine life. The estuary serves as an important migratory corridor for birds along the Pacific Flyway. The plant's coastal location means its secondary-treated effluent contributes to nutrient loads in the coastal zone, which can affect nearshore water quality and marine habitats.