Overview
Zacatepec wastewater treatment plant serves Zacatepec de Hidalgo, Morelos, Mexico, with a population of approximately 48,000. The plant operates under Mexican wastewater regulations.
The Zacatepec wastewater treatment plant is located in Zacatepec de Hidalgo, Morelos, Mexico, serving a population of about 48,037. As a municipal facility, it plays a key role in managing wastewater from this urban area in central Mexico. Under Mexican environmental law (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996 and subsequent updates), wastewater treatment plants serving populations over 2,500 are required to meet specific discharge standards. For a medium-sized agglomeration like Zacatepec, secondary treatment is typically mandated to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that drain into the Balsas River basin, one of Mexico's major hydrological systems. The Balsas River flows southwestward to the Pacific Ocean, supporting agricultural irrigation and diverse aquatic habitats along its course.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge likely enters tributaries of the Balsas River, which flows through Morelos and neighboring states before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Balsas basin supports important agricultural areas and freshwater ecosystems, including fish species such as the Balsas catfish. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Zacatepec de Hidalgo, in the state of Morelos, Mexico, at Calle Morelos.
The plant serves approximately 48,037 people in the Zacatepec de Hidalgo area.
The treated effluent is likely discharged into local streams that feed into the Balsas River basin, which ultimately flows to the Pacific Ocean.
The plant operates under Mexican federal regulations, primarily NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, which sets discharge limits for pollutants based on receiving water body type and population served.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like Zacatepec, secondary treatment is typically required to meet Mexican discharge standards, reducing biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids.
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