San Antonio de Carapongo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lurigancho, Lima, Peru

San Antonio de Carapongo is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Carapongo area of Lurigancho, within the Lima Metropolitan region of Peru. The plant serves a population of approximately 320,773, classifying it as a large-scale municipal facility. Its location in the Rimac River valley places it within a densely populated urban corridor. Peru's wastewater treatment regulations, governed by the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation, require secondary treatment for large urban agglomerations. Plants serving over 100,000 people are expected to implement biological treatment processes to reduce organic load and pathogens before discharge. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 cubic meter per second, indicating a substantial infrastructure investment. The treated effluent from San Antonio de Carapongo likely discharges into the Rimac River, which flows westward through Lima and into the Pacific Ocean. The Rimac River is a critical water source for Lima's drinking water supply and supports aquatic ecosystems. Downstream, the river's estuary and coastal waters receive treated wastewater, influencing marine water quality along the central Peruvian coast.

The plant's receiving water body is the Rimac River, which drains the western slopes of the Andes and flows through Lima before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The river supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and human consumption. Downstream, the coastal waters near Lima are ecologically sensitive, hosting marine biodiversity and fisheries. Proper treatment is essential to protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.