ABENOJAR Wastewater Treatment Plant, Abenójar, Castilla-La Mancha

ABENOJAR is a wastewater treatment plant located in Abenójar, a municipality in the province of Ciudad Real, within the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The plant serves a population of 1,618 and treats wastewater to an advanced level, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. As a small agglomeration, the plant operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into freshwater bodies. Advanced treatment goes beyond secondary treatment, typically involving nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies. The treated wastewater is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Guadiana River basin, one of the major river systems in the Iberian Peninsula. The Guadiana River flows westward to the Gulf of Cádiz, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural activities in the region.

The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which flows through central and southern Spain before reaching the Gulf of Cádiz. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life and is important for irrigation and drinking water supply. The advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality in a region with seasonal water scarcity.