ALCANAR LES CASES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Alcanar, Catalunya

ALCANAR LES CASES is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Alcanar, a municipality in the province of Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,725 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale facility supporting the local community. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 6,799 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 598.14 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations of this size are required to provide secondary treatment, and the advanced level here indicates compliance with stricter standards for sensitive areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can affect coastal water quality and marine ecosystems. The facility plays a key role in protecting the region's coastal waters from pollution, supporting tourism and biodiversity in the area.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea via local watercourses in the Montsià region. The coastal waters here support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries, and are important for local fisheries and tourism. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, reducing the risk of eutrophication in this sensitive coastal environment.