CABEZA DEL BUEY Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cabeza del Buey, Extremadura, Spain

CABEZA DEL BUEY is a wastewater treatment plant located in the municipality of Cabeza del Buey, in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 16,500 residents, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As a Spanish facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into inland waters. The plant's inland location means it likely employs biological treatment processes to meet regulatory standards for organic matter and nutrient removal. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Guadiana River basin, one of the major river systems in the Iberian Peninsula. The Guadiana River flows southwest through Extremadura and Andalusia before reaching the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting the ecological health of the Guadiana basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities.

The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which flows through Extremadura and into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The Guadiana is a vital water resource for irrigation and ecosystems in the region, supporting species such as the Iberian lynx and various waterfowl. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for maintaining biodiversity and meeting EU Water Framework Directive objectives.