Overview
ARROYO CULEBRO CUENCA BAJA is a major wastewater treatment plant serving Getafe in the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. It handles a population equivalent of over 270,000, operating under EU regulatory standards.
ARROYO CULEBRO CUENCA BAJA is a key wastewater treatment facility located in Getafe, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 270,261, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. Its location in the metropolitan area of Madrid places it within a densely populated and industrially active region. As a large-scale plant, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates advanced treatment for agglomerations over 150,000 population equivalent, especially in sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet stringent effluent quality standards to protect the receiving environment. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Manzanares River, a tributary of the Jarama River, which flows into the Tagus River. The Tagus is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The plant plays a crucial role in safeguarding the water quality of the Tagus basin and the downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Manzanares River, which joins the Jarama River and then the Tagus River, the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. The Tagus basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and urban use. Downstream, the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean, making effective treatment essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect coastal ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Getafe, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain, at Cañada Real Galiana.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 270,261, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated effluent is discharged into the Manzanares River, which flows into the Jarama River and then the Tagus River, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish plant serving over 150,000 population equivalent, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires advanced treatment to protect sensitive water bodies.
Plants of this scale in Spain typically employ secondary biological treatment followed by tertiary processes such as nutrient removal, to meet EU standards for large agglomerations.
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