ALFARNATE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Alfarnate, Andalucía, Spain

ALFARNATE is a former wastewater treatment plant located in Alfarnate, a municipality in the province of Málaga, Andalucía, Spain. The plant served a population of approximately 2,391 people and was designed with a capacity of 2,591 cubic meters per day. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, in the mountainous region of La Axarquía. As a secondary treatment facility, ALFARNATE would have provided biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Under Spanish and EU regulations, small agglomerations (under 10,000 population equivalent) are typically required to have appropriate treatment, and secondary treatment is standard for inland plants discharging to freshwater bodies. The plant's operational status is closed, indicating it is no longer in service. The plant's treated effluent would have discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Mediterranean Sea via the Guadalhorce River basin or nearby coastal streams. The region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with seasonal rainfall, and the surrounding environment includes agricultural areas and natural habitats that rely on water quality protection.

The plant is located inland in the Guadalhorce River basin, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea near Málaga. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream ecosystems, including coastal waters that are ecologically sensitive.