Overview
Maunabo WWTP serves approximately 4,975 people in Maunabo, Puerto Rico. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast and discharges into the Caribbean Sea.
Maunabo WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Maunabo, Puerto Rico, a municipality on the southeastern coast of the island. The plant serves a population of about 4,975 residents, placing it in the small agglomeration category under US EPA guidelines. As a US territory, Puerto Rico's wastewater treatment plants operate under the Clean Water Act and are subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. For small communities like Maunabo, secondary treatment is typically required to meet water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the Caribbean Sea, contributing to the marine environment of southeastern Puerto Rico. The coastal waters in this region support diverse marine life, including coral reefs and seagrass beds, making proper treatment essential for ecosystem health.
Environmental context
Maunabo WWTP discharges into the Caribbean Sea via local drainage. The coastal waters off southeastern Puerto Rico are ecologically sensitive, supporting coral reef ecosystems and seagrass habitats that provide nursery grounds for fish and marine invertebrates. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) means treated effluent directly influences nearshore water quality and marine biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
Maunabo WWTP is located on Calle D in the Emajagua area of Maunabo, Puerto Rico, 00707, United States.
The plant serves approximately 4,975 residents in the Maunabo municipality.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Caribbean Sea via local drainage channels.
As a US territory facility, Maunabo WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by EPA NPDES permits, which set discharge limits and monitoring requirements.
Small municipal plants in Puerto Rico typically provide secondary treatment to meet EPA standards, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems, though specific processes vary by facility.
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