Zacapala Wastewater Treatment Plant, Puebla, Mexico

The Zacapala wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Zacapala, in the state of Puebla, Mexico. It serves a population of approximately 1,369 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the local water management infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 172.80 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 129.60 m³/day, the facility operates below its full capacity. Under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996), secondary treatment is required for municipal wastewater to meet discharge standards for receiving water bodies. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Balsas River basin, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and supporting the ecological health of the region's rivers and streams.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Balsas River basin, one of Mexico's major river systems. The Balsas River flows southwestward through Puebla and into the Pacific Ocean. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and communities. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and protects downstream ecosystems.