Overview
BAENA wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of Baena in Andalucía, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The BAENA wastewater treatment plant is located in Baena, a municipality in the province of Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 29,748 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. Its location inland, away from the coast, influences its discharge and environmental management strategies. As a plant in Spain, BAENA is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 10,000 and 150,000. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate standards are met. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Guadalquivir River basin, one of Spain's major river systems. The Guadalquivir flows southwest through Andalucía and empties into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and biodiversity.
Environmental context
The BAENA plant discharges into the Guadalquivir River basin, which flows through Andalucía and into the Gulf of Cádiz. The Guadalquivir is a vital waterway for the region, supporting irrigated agriculture, wetlands, and estuarine ecosystems. Downstream areas include the Doñana wetlands, an ecologically sensitive area that hosts migratory birds and endangered species. The plant's operations are crucial for maintaining water quality in this basin, especially given the agricultural and ecological significance of the river.
Frequently asked questions
The BAENA plant is located in Baena, a municipality in the province of Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain. Its address is N-432A, Aladid, Baena, Córdoba, Andalucía, 14850.
The BAENA plant serves a population of approximately 29,748 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into local water bodies that are part of the Guadalquivir River basin. The Guadalquivir River flows through Andalucía and empties into the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish plant, BAENA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000, and more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are in sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, a plant serving approximately 30,000 people (a medium agglomeration) is typically required to provide secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated to reduce nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
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