AGUILAS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Águilas, Región de Murcia, Spain

The AGUILAS wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Águilas, within the Región de Murcia in southeastern Spain. Situated in the Alto Guadalentín area, the plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 79,651, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The facility is positioned near the coast, less than 50 km from the Mediterranean Sea, which influences its discharge requirements. As a plant of this scale in Spain, AGUILAS operates under the framework of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent, and more stringent tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. Given the coastal proximity, the receiving waters may be considered sensitive, requiring advanced treatment to prevent eutrophication. The designed capacity is recorded as 1. Typical capacities for this population size range in the tens of thousands of cubic meters per day. The treated effluent from AGUILAS is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall or a nearby watercourse. The coastal waters of the Región de Murcia support diverse marine life and are important for tourism and fisheries. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the marine environment from nutrient pollution and pathogens, contributing to the ecological health of the Mediterranean coastal zone.

The AGUILAS plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient enrichment. The coastal waters near Águilas support seagrass meadows and marine habitats that are ecologically significant. The plant's operation helps reduce the input of organic matter and nutrients, thereby mitigating eutrophication risks and preserving water quality for recreational and ecological uses.