Overview
ALGARROBO wastewater treatment plant serves Algarrobo-Costa in Andalucía, Spain, with a population equivalent of 12,247. The facility has a designed capacity of 1.00 volume units and is located within 50 km of the coast.
The ALGARROBO wastewater treatment plant is located in Algarrobo-Costa, a coastal town in the province of Málaga, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 12,247, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Mediterranean coast, highlighting its role in protecting coastal water quality. As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The regulatory framework ensures that treated effluent meets standards to safeguard the marine environment. The plant's discharge ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect marine biodiversity, including seagrass meadows and fish habitats. The plant contributes to the health of the Alboran Sea, a key ecological transition zone between the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Environmental context
The ALGARROBO plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea via local streams or direct outfall. The Alboran Sea, the westernmost basin of the Mediterranean, supports diverse marine life including cetaceans, sea turtles, and important fisheries. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can lead to eutrophication, affecting seagrass beds and coral formations. The plant's coastal location underscores the need for effective treatment to minimize ecological impact on this sensitive marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The ALGARROBO plant is located in Algarrobo-Costa, a coastal town in the municipality of Algarrobo, in the province of Málaga, Andalucía, Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 12,247, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall or local watercourse, given its coastal location within 50 km of the coast.
As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 people discharging into coastal waters.
For agglomerations of this size in Spain, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard, often with nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas like the Mediterranean coast.
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