Overview
APRAITZ wastewater treatment plant serves Elgoibar in Euskadi, Spain, with a population equivalent of 80,250. It is located within 50 km of the coast, discharging into the local watershed.
The APRAITZ wastewater treatment plant is situated in Elgoibar, within the Debabarrena region of Gipuzkoa, Euskadi, Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 80,250, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under European Union classification. The plant is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the area. As a Spanish facility, APRAITZ operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating a substantial treatment capability. The treated effluent from APRAITZ ultimately discharges into the Deba River basin, which flows into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) underscores the need for effective treatment to protect marine water quality.
Environmental context
The APRAITZ plant discharges into the Deba River, which flows through the Basque Country and empties into the Bay of Biscay. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries. The river basin is ecologically sensitive, and the plant's treatment performance directly affects downstream water quality and the health of the adjacent marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The APRAITZ plant is located in Elgoibar, in the Debabarrena region of Gipuzkoa, within the autonomous community of Euskadi (Basque Country), Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 80,250, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Deba River, which flows into the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish plant serving over 10,000 PE, APRAITZ is subject to the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. If the receiving waters are designated as sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.
For agglomerations of this size, Spanish plants typically employ secondary biological treatment (activated sludge or similar) to meet EU standards. Some may also include nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas.
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