AIELO DE MALFERIT Wastewater Treatment Plant, l'Olleria, Comunitat Valenciana

AIELO DE MALFERIT is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in l'Olleria, within the Vall d'Albaida region of Valencia, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,406 people and has a designed capacity of 3,542 m³/day, with a discharge volume of 822.66 m³/day. It operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for treatment levels based on population equivalents and receiving water sensitivity. As an advanced treatment facility, AIELO DE MALFERIT goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, ensuring high-quality effluent. This is typical for plants discharging into sensitive areas or where water reuse is prioritized. The plant's capacity utilization suggests it operates well below its design capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Júcar River basin. The region's water resources support agriculture, wetlands, and biodiversity. Advanced treatment helps protect downstream ecosystems, including coastal areas and the Albufera de València lagoon, a vital habitat for migratory birds and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into the Júcar River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The downstream environment includes the Albufera de València, a coastal lagoon of high ecological importance that supports diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in these sensitive waters.