ARCADE SOUTOMAIOR Wastewater Treatment Plant, Soutomaior, Galicia, Spain

ARCADE SOUTOMAIOR is a wastewater treatment plant located in the parish of Arcade, within the municipality of Soutomaior, in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 9,453 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under EU classification. It is situated in the coastal region of Galicia, near the Ria de Vigo, a significant estuarine environment. As a plant in Spain, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The regulatory framework ensures that discharges meet quality standards to protect the sensitive coastal waters of the region. The plant's treated effluent is likely discharged into the Ria de Vigo, a coastal inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary supports diverse marine life, including shellfish beds and migratory fish species. The surrounding area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park and the Cies Islands, which are important for seabirds and marine biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the Ria de Vigo, a coastal estuary in Galicia that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary is a productive ecosystem supporting shellfish aquaculture, seagrass meadows, and migratory bird populations. The region's oceanic climate and tidal dynamics influence water quality, making effective treatment essential to protect marine habitats and local fisheries.