Overview
Alcalá la Real wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 20,000 people in Andalucía, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
The Alcalá la Real wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Alcalá la Real, in the province of Jaén, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 20,000 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Guadalquivir River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Cádiz. The Guadalquivir basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important agricultural and ecological resource in southern Spain.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of the Guadalquivir River, which flows through Andalucía to the Atlantic Ocean. The Guadalquivir basin is ecologically significant, supporting wetlands and migratory bird populations. The region's Mediterranean climate with seasonal droughts makes water quality management critical for downstream ecosystems and agricultural users.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Alcalá la Real, a municipality in the province of Jaén, within the autonomous community of Andalucía, Spain.
The plant serves approximately 20,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Guadalquivir River basin, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish facility serving 20,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and potentially tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU directive, plants serving 10,000 to 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment). In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be mandated.
Nearby plants