Desaguadero Wastewater Treatment Plant, Puno, Peru

The Desaguadero wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Desaguadero, within the province of Chucuito in the Puno region of Peru. Situated near the border with Bolivia, this facility serves a population of approximately 15,724 residents, making it a medium-sized agglomeration in the context of Peruvian wastewater infrastructure. Plants of this scale in Peru typically operate under the national regulatory framework overseen by the Superintendencia Nacional de Servicios de Saneamiento (SUNASS). The designed capacity of 1.00 suggests a modest facility, and treatment standards are generally aligned with the country's environmental regulations for municipal wastewater. The plant's discharge likely flows into local water bodies that are part of the Lake Titicaca basin, one of the most ecologically significant high-altitude lake systems in the world. The receiving environment supports unique aquatic biodiversity and is a critical resource for local communities and agriculture. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in this sensitive watershed.

The Desaguadero plant is located in the high-altitude Altiplano region, within the Lake Titicaca drainage basin. Treated effluent likely discharges into the Desaguadero River, which flows into Lake Titicaca, a large and ecologically important lake shared by Peru and Bolivia. The lake supports diverse aquatic life, including endemic fish species, and is a vital water source for surrounding communities. Protecting water quality in this basin is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and the livelihoods of local populations.