Wastewater management from municipal slaughterhouses in Mexico: quantities produced, existing legislation, treatment processes applied and future challenges

Abstract

Wastewater from municipal slaughterhouses remains a persistent issue in the world, owing to its inherent characteristics it has been categorized as one of the most environmentally detrimental water sources. Mexico has 972 registered facilities dedicated to meat processing, so it is necessary to establish the best treatment options in order to achieve efficient control of the wastewater produced, reduce water consumption and enhance the utilization of natural resources. The objective of this study was to estimate the quantities of municipal slaughterhouse wastewater produced in Mexico and to provide information on the legislation applicable to the disposal and discharge of these effluents. It also presents the nature-based solutions that could be applied and that are technically and economically feasible, as well as future opportunities for the sustainable management of this type of wastewater. The state of Jalisco is the largest generator of wastewater and solid waste in the country, and significant progress has been made in the transition of public policies toward a sustainability model nationwide. These advancements are supported by legal foundations, institutional frameworks, and governmental bodies. The competitive advantages of nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands over other treatment technologies include low operation and maintenance costs, ease of implementation, low energy consumption, and the fact that they are not harmful to nature and receiving bodies. While significant progress has been made in the management and sanitation of slaughterhouse wastewater, challenges persist with regard to the technologies employed (design and operation parameters, scaling up, biochemical processes involved, etc.) which in turn become excellent areas of opportunity for future research.