Zacatilihuic Wastewater Treatment Plant, Puebla, Mexico

The Zacatilihuic wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Zacatilihuic, within the municipality of San Sebastián Tlacotepec in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,464 people, reflecting its role as a small-scale municipal facility in a rural setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under Mexican regulations (NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996) for municipal wastewater before discharge. With a designed capacity of 233.28 cubic meters per day and a discharge volume of 233.28 cubic meters per day, the plant operates at full capacity, indicating consistent demand from the served community. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies, contributing to the protection of downstream ecosystems. The plant's location inland, more than 50 km from the coast, means its discharge affects freshwater systems rather than marine environments. The surrounding watershed eventually drains toward the Gulf of Mexico, supporting regional water quality and aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Papaloapan River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and domestic use downstream. The secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, protecting the ecological health of the receiving waters and downstream communities.