The project aims to address the severe pollution crisis of the Upper Atoyac River by installing and operating a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 100 liters per second. This facility will implement advanced tertiary treatment processes to produce water suitable for reuse in industry, and irrigation of urban green areas. Currently, untreated discharges generate serious health and environmental impacts, including the spread of waterborne diseases, loss of aquatic biodiversity, and degradation of ecosystem services associated with the river.
The project will convert an environmental liability into a safe alternative water source, reducing groundwater extraction and contributing to the ecological restoration of the watershed. It represents a strategic opportunity to reduce dependence on conventional water sources, especially in a context of increasing water stress driven by climate change and urban expansion.
Beyond the water-related benefits, the project will contribute to public health and community well-being by reducing exposure to pathogens, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants. It will improve the quality of life in vulnerable communities near the river and support environmental sanitation in densely populated urban areas.
From an economic perspective, the project is expected to lower potable water supply costs for non-essential uses by replacing them with controlled-quality treated water. It will also create local employment during construction and permanent operation of the plant, and stimulate economic activities dependent on reliable water access, such as peri-urban agriculture and certain industrial sectors. The project is further expected to increase the value of urban land currently degraded by pollution.
Pollution of the Atoyac River as it passes through Puebla is a longstanding structural issue that has worsened over more than three decades. The river, which historically supported agricultural activity and was integrated into the urban landscape, now poses serious environmental and public health risks.
Key causes include:
As a result, the Atoyac is among the most polluted rivers in Mexico, with BOD and TSS levels sometimes exceeding legal limits tenfold. Documented impacts include higher incidence of gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases in riverside populations, near-total loss of aquatic biodiversity, and disappearance of ecosystem services the river once provided.
The project proposes a comprehensive mitigation strategy based on advanced treatment infrastructure, rigorous technical operation, circular water resource management, and institutional strengthening. The solution is designed not only to eliminate pollutants but also to maximize the value of wastewater as an environmental and economic resource.
The design includes the construction of a treatment plant using physical, biological, and chemical processes (clarification, filtration, disinfection, membranes) geared toward reuse of the treated effluent in non-potable applications. The goal is to significantly reduce the pollutant load discharged into the Atoyac River, relieve pressure on overexploited groundwater sources, and create a new, safe alternative water supply for uses such as urban irrigation, industry, and municipal services. The intervention will also contribute to ecosystem restoration along the riverbed, strengthening urban water security.
Project implementation is grounded in the deployment of high-efficiency wastewater treatment technologies, a specialized operational structure, and robust interinstitutional coordination.
The treatment system is based on a secondary biological reactor complemented by advanced clarification processes. It includes multimedia filters for suspended solids removal and UV or ozone disinfection systems to eliminate pathogens, ensuring the treated water meets reuse standards. The integration of reverse Osmosi and ultrafiltration technology is also under evaluation, offering higher purification levels for applications with stricter quality requirements.
Wastewater will be captured through the existing sewer system, modified with interception systems to redirect flows to the treatment plant. The process will be continuous and automated, enabling efficient and traceable operations. Treated water distribution will be controlled up to the point of delivery to end users.
The technical monitoring plan includes constant flow measurement using ultrasonic or electromagnetic sensors and real-time quality monitoring for key parameters such as BOD₅, TSS, coliforms, and heavy metals. Periodic external audits and use of digital traceability platforms like Aqua Positive will ensure transparency and independent validation. Reports will align with international frameworks such as ESRS E3 and CDP Water Disclosure, supporting ESG commitments.
Project execution is led by the Puebla Municipal Government, with the local water utility (SOAPAP) serving as the technical authority. A specialized water treatment company will be contracted for design, construction, commissioning, and plant maintenance. CONAGUA will oversee regulatory compliance. Strategic partnerships will be established with environmental NGOs, universities, research centers, and private-sector reuse stakeholders to ensure long-term technical, social, and economic sustainability.
Implementation will follow sequential phases: planning and technical design, construction and equipment installation, testing and process calibration, and continuous operation. Each phase will include a detailed schedule and specific activities, supervised by the utility’s technical team and the contractor.
Climate funds and green finance instruments (such as sustainable bonds) are also being considered for projects with proven water impact.
Risk management will include specific protocols for technical failures (e.g., power outages, maintenance shutdowns), institutional risks (e.g., political transitions), social risks (e.g., community resistance or inequitable access perceptions), and environmental risks (e.g., extreme rainfall or prolonged drought). All risks will be mapped and linked to contingency plans within system operation and maintenance manuals.
The project entails the implementation of an integrated solution for the reuse of urban and industrial wastewater through a tertiary treatment plant with a capacity of 100 liters per second. The facility will be located in the municipality of Puebla, at the heart of the Upper Atoyac basin—one of Mexico’s most polluted and vulnerable.
The main objective is to reduce pollutant discharges currently affecting the Atoyac River—a once functional watercourse now posing serious health and environmental risks—and convert wastewater into a safe, traceable water resource. Treated effluent will be used in non-potable activities such as public space irrigation, urban maintenance, industrial processes, and eventually indirect aquifer recharge via infiltration zones.
Technically, the plant will combine advanced biological treatment with clarification, filtration, and disinfection processes using ultraviolet radiation (UV) or ozone. ultrafiltration(UF) and reverse Osmosis (RO) integration is under evaluation to achieve higher treated water quality and expand reuse options. The system will be fully automated with online sensors monitoring flow, quality, and performance, and integrated with traceability platforms like Aqua Positive to ensure transparency and validation of water benefits.
Expected benefits include the production of over 3 million m³ of reused water annually, reducing demand on conventional sources such as the overexploited Puebla Valley aquifer. A significant reduction in pollutant loads discharged into the river is also expected—particularly in BOD₅,DQO, suspended solids, coliforms, and nutrients—supporting ecological recovery and public health improvements.
The project is fully aligned with the VWBA 2.0 framework using method A-3 (Volume Provided), by creating a new available water source that would not exist without intervention. It also incorporates WQBA elements by quantifying improvements in treated water quality. Reporting will be compatible with frameworks such as ESRS E3, CDP Water, Science-Based Targets for Water, and platforms like Aqua Positive, ensuring traceability, additionality, and benefit permanence.
Institutionally, the project will be led by the Puebla Municipal Government and SOAPAP, with CONAGUA as the regulatory authority. Collaborations are planned with technology providers, environmental NGOs, research centers, and private-sector water users.
This project represents not only a technically effective solution but also a model for circular and resilient water transition in Latin American cities facing chronic pollution and aquifer overexploitation.
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