Benidorm Wastewater Treatment Plant: Serving the Costa Blanca Region

The Benidorm wastewater treatment plant is a major municipal facility serving the city of Benidorm and surrounding areas in the Marina Baixa region of Alicante, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. With a population equivalent of over 340,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. As a large agglomeration, the plant is required to meet stringent treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The directive mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, and for sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating substantial infrastructure to handle peak flows. The treated wastewater is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making nutrient removal critical to prevent eutrophication. The plant plays a key role in protecting coastal water quality and supporting tourism and marine biodiversity in the region.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, a marine environment with high ecological sensitivity due to its oligotrophic nature and slow water renewal. The receiving waters support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can lead to algal blooms and habitat degradation, so advanced treatment is essential. The plant's location in a coastal tourist area further emphasizes the need for high-quality effluent to maintain bathing water standards.