BRONCHALES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bronchales, Aragón, Spain

BRONCHALES is a wastewater treatment plant located in Bronchales, a municipality in the Sierra de Albarracín region of Teruel, Aragón, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,095 people, reflecting its role as a small-scale facility in a rural, mountainous area. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 5,653 cubic meters per day, and the current discharge volume is 379.71 cubic meters per day, indicating ample capacity for current loads. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ebro River basin. The Sierra de Albarracín region is known for its karstic landscapes and sensitive freshwater ecosystems, making proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting downstream water quality and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into the local watercourses of the Sierra de Albarracín, which are part of the upper Tagus River basin. This region features karstic aquifers and springs that support diverse aquatic habitats. The treated effluent flows into the Tagus River, which eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. Protecting these headwaters is crucial for maintaining water quality in the Tagus basin, which supplies drinking water and supports irrigation and ecosystems downstream.