A Guarda Wastewater Treatment Plant - Serving Coastal Galicia, Spain

The A Guarda wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of A Guarda, in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 21,556 residents and has a designed capacity of 1.00 cubic meters per day. The plant is situated near the coast, within 50 kilometers of the Atlantic Ocean. As a Spanish wastewater treatment facility, the plant operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas. Compliance with EU standards is expected. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The receiving water body is likely the Miño River estuary or nearby coastal waters, supporting diverse marine life and important fisheries. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal environment and public health in the region.

The A Guarda plant discharges into the Miño River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at the border between Spain and Portugal. The estuary supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species such as salmon and eel. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive due to their role in marine biodiversity and local fisheries.