Overview
BESOS wastewater treatment plant serves over 1.95 million people in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, ensuring advanced treatment for this large agglomeration.
BESOS is a major wastewater treatment plant located in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain, serving a population of over 1.95 million people. As one of the largest treatment facilities in the region, it plays a critical role in managing wastewater from a densely populated urban and industrial area. The plant is designed with a capacity of 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per day or similar unit), and it operates under the stringent requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations larger than 150,000 population equivalent, the directive mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, with tertiary treatment required in sensitive areas. Given the scale and coastal location, the plant likely employs advanced treatment to protect the Mediterranean Sea. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, contributing to the protection of coastal water quality and marine ecosystems. The plant's operation is essential for safeguarding the Barcelona coastline and supporting recreational and ecological uses of the sea.
Environmental context
The BESOS plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea, specifically near the Barcelona coastline. The receiving waters support diverse marine life and are important for tourism and fisheries. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and pollutants, mitigating eutrophication risks and protecting sensitive marine habitats in the Catalan coastal region.
Frequently asked questions
The BESOS plant is located in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain, near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant serves approximately 1,951,826 people, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely through an outfall that ensures proper mixing and dilution to protect coastal water quality.
As a plant serving over 150,000 population equivalent, BESOS is subject to the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), which requires at least secondary treatment, and likely tertiary treatment due to its discharge into a sensitive coastal area.
For large agglomerations in Spain, especially those discharging to the Mediterranean, advanced treatment including biological nutrient removal and disinfection is standard to meet stringent EU and national water quality standards.
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