BESALU Wastewater Treatment Plant, Besalú, Catalunya, Spain

The BESALU wastewater treatment plant is located in Besalú, a town in the Garrotxa region of Girona, Catalunya, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 1,599 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and its treated effluent likely discharges into a local river system. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU directive for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive water bodies. The designed capacity is 3,510 m³/day, with a reported discharge volume of 696.21 m³/day, indicating the plant operates well below its capacity. The treated wastewater from BESALU likely flows into the Fluvià River or its tributaries, which drain into the Mediterranean Sea via the Gulf of Roses. The region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and contributing to the overall health of the Mediterranean coastal ecosystem. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality.

The BESALU plant discharges into the Fluvià River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea at the Gulf of Roses. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is an important ecological zone. The advanced treatment process reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in the downstream river and coastal waters.