ALGUENA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Algueña, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain

The ALGUENA wastewater treatment plant is located in Algueña, within the Comunitat Valenciana region of Spain. It serves a population of 3,336, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size. Its designed capacity is 4,750 m³/day, with a reported discharge volume of 246.68 m³/day, indicating operational capacity well below design levels. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal or disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Mediterranean Sea via the Vinalopó River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's water resources, supporting agricultural and ecological needs in a semi-arid climate. Its advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading to downstream water bodies, contributing to the health of the Mediterranean coastal environment.

The plant discharges into the Vinalopó River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Alicante. The Vinalopó River is a seasonal river in a semi-arid region, making water quality management critical for local agriculture and ecosystems. The downstream environment includes coastal wetlands and marine habitats that benefit from reduced nutrient pollution due to advanced treatment. The plant's location inland helps protect sensitive coastal areas from excessive nutrient loads.