ALMADENEJOS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Almadenejos, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

The ALMADENEJOS wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Almadenejos, in the province of Ciudad Real, within the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. This facility serves a small population of approximately 1,000 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters. The plant discharges a daily volume of 163 cubic meters of treated wastewater. The treated effluent is released into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Guadiana River basin, one of Spain's major river systems. The Guadiana River flows westward through the region, supporting agricultural irrigation and diverse aquatic habitats before reaching the Gulf of Cádiz. The plant's advanced treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically important basin.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Guadiana River basin, which flows through the semi-arid landscapes of Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura. The Guadiana River supports a variety of aquatic life, including endemic fish species, and its waters are used for irrigation in the surrounding agricultural areas. Downstream, the river forms part of the Guadiana Estuary, a vital wetland ecosystem that provides habitat for migratory birds and supports fisheries. The advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient loading, protecting downstream water quality and ecological balance.