BADIOLEGI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Azpeitia, Euskadi, Spain

BADIOLEGI is a wastewater treatment plant located in Azpeitia, within the Urola-Kosta region of Gipuzkoa, Euskadi, Spain. The facility serves a population of approximately 38,000 people, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under European Union classification. As a plant in Spain, BADIOLEGI 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 stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with European standards. The treated effluent from BADIOLEGI is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Bay of Biscay via the Urola River or nearby coastal waters. The region's aquatic ecosystems benefit from the plant's pollution control, supporting biodiversity in the river and marine environments. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Urola basin and the adjacent coastal area.

BADIOLEGI discharges into the Urola River basin, which flows through the Basque Country and empties into the Bay of Biscay. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that support diverse marine life, including fish and bird species. The plant's operations help mitigate nutrient and pollutant loads, preserving the ecological health of the river and the sensitive coastal zone.