Overview
BAJO ARGA wastewater treatment plant serves Funes, Navarra, Spain, treating wastewater for approximately 29,081 people. It operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
BAJO ARGA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Funes, within the Navarra region of Spain. The facility serves a population of approximately 29,081, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. Its location in the Ebro River basin places it within a significant agricultural and industrial region. As a Spanish plant, BAJO ARGA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also requires more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. Spain's transposition of this directive is enforced by regional authorities, in this case likely the Government of Navarra. The plant discharges treated effluent into the local water network, ultimately contributing to the Ebro River system. The Ebro River flows into the Mediterranean Sea via the Ebro Delta, a ecologically important area that supports diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations. Proper treatment at plants like BAJO ARGA is crucial for protecting downstream water quality and the delta's sensitive ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the Ebro River basin, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea through the Ebro Delta. This delta is an ecologically sensitive area supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a key migratory corridor for birds. The plant's location in Navarra, a region with intensive agriculture, means its nutrient removal performance is important for preventing eutrophication downstream.
Frequently asked questions
BAJO ARGA is located in Funes, in the Navarra region of northern Spain. The full address is Camino Rural Aceria, Funes, Erriberagoiena / Ribera Alta, Navarra, 31360.
The plant serves approximately 29,081 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local water network, which ultimately flows into the Ebro River system and then into the Mediterranean Sea via the Ebro Delta.
Under the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations of 10,000-150,000 people like BAJO ARGA are required to provide secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive to eutrophication, more advanced treatment may be required.
In Spain, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EU standards. Many also include nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like the Ebro Delta.
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