Overview
ARANJUEZ wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 93,000 people in Aranjuez, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The ARANJUEZ wastewater treatment plant is located in Aranjuez, a city in the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 93,000, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Tagus River, which flows through the region and is a major watercourse in the Iberian Peninsula. As a facility serving over 50,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. For agglomerations of this size, the directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's location inland suggests it discharges into freshwater bodies, where nutrient removal may be required to prevent eutrophication. The treated effluent from the plant likely enters the Tagus River, which flows westward through Spain and Portugal before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Tagus basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting water quality in this transboundary river system, particularly given the agricultural and urban pressures in the region.
Environmental context
The ARANJUEZ plant discharges into the Tagus River, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, which flows through central Spain and Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean. The Tagus basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish species and serving as a migratory route for birds. Downstream, the river passes through the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve in Portugal, a vital wetland for waterfowl. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this transboundary watershed, reducing nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in the estuary.
Frequently asked questions
The ARANJUEZ plant is located in Aranjuez, in the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain, near the Tagus River.
The plant serves approximately 93,000 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Tagus River, which flows through Spain and Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish plant serving over 50,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and potentially more stringent nutrient removal for sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving over 50,000 people must provide at least secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be required.
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