Media Luna Wastewater Treatment Plant, Pacocha, Moquegua, Peru

Media Luna is a wastewater treatment plant located in Pacocha, within the Ilo province of Moquegua, Peru. It serves a population of approximately 62,216 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration. The plant is situated along the Carretera Costanera Sur, near the coastal city of Ilo, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the area. Plants of this scale in Peru typically operate under national regulations aligned with the country's environmental standards. The designed capacity is recorded as 1.00 volume units, indicating the plant's intended throughput. As a facility serving a significant population, it is expected to meet secondary treatment requirements to protect public health and the environment. The plant's proximity to the Pacific Ocean (within 50 km) means its treated effluent likely discharges into coastal waters or a nearby river system. This makes proper treatment essential to prevent marine pollution and protect the rich biodiversity of the Peruvian coastal ecosystem, which supports fisheries and tourism. The plant contributes to the sanitation infrastructure of the Ilo region, a key industrial and port area.

Media Luna's treated wastewater likely enters the Pacific Ocean via local drainage or the Ilo River system. The coastal waters off Moquegua are part of the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem, known for high productivity and important fisheries. Discharge into this sensitive marine environment requires effective treatment to minimize nutrient loading and protect marine life, including seabirds and fish stocks.