Overview
BURELA wastewater treatment plant serves the coastal town of Burela in Galicia, Spain. It treats wastewater from a population of approximately 12,760 under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The BURELA wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Burela, in the province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain. The facility serves a population of approximately 12,760 residents, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. Its proximity to the Atlantic coast places it in a sensitive environmental context. As a Spanish plant within the EU, BURELA operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. For agglomerations of this size (between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent), the directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 cubic hectometer per year, indicating its scale. Compliance is monitored by the regional water authority in Galicia. The treated effluent from BURELA is discharged into the Cantabrian Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal waters in this region support diverse marine life, including fisheries and migratory species. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local marine environment from untreated wastewater pollution.
Environmental context
The BURELA plant discharges into the Cantabrian Sea, a coastal area of the Atlantic Ocean off northern Spain. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting rich marine biodiversity including commercial fish stocks and migratory seabirds. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent directly influences nearshore water quality, making effective treatment essential for preserving the local marine ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The BURELA plant is located in the town of Burela, in the province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain. It is situated near the coast of the Cantabrian Sea.
The plant serves approximately 12,760 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from BURELA is discharged into the Cantabrian Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's coastal location requires careful management to protect marine water quality.
As a Spanish plant, BURELA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. For its population size, secondary treatment is required, and compliance is enforced by the regional water authority in Galicia.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent must have at least secondary treatment. In Spain, many such plants also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters.
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