Overview
CADIZ SAN FERNANDO wastewater treatment plant serves Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain, with a population equivalent of 223,580. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations discharg
CADIZ SAN FERNANDO is a major wastewater treatment plant located in Cortadura, Cádiz, within the Bahía de Cádiz area of Andalucía, Spain. Serving a population equivalent of 223,580, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in a coastal urban environment, reflecting the region's dense population and industrial activity. As a large agglomeration (>150,000 PE) in a coastal area, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires more stringent treatment than secondary for discharges into sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating a substantial infrastructure to handle the wastewater load from the city and surrounding areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Bay of Cádiz, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. This coastal ecosystem supports diverse marine life, including fisheries and migratory bird populations. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the bay's water quality and the broader marine environment from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Bay of Cádiz, a coastal inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. This bay is an ecologically sensitive area that supports seagrass meadows, shellfish beds, and migratory bird populations. The plant's treatment performance directly affects the bay's water quality, which is vital for local fisheries and tourism. The broader drainage basin includes the Guadalete River and other smaller streams that flow into the bay, making the plant a key point of pollution control for the region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Cortadura, Cádiz, within the Bahía de Cádiz area of Andalucía, Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 223,580, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Bay of Cádiz, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a large agglomeration (>150,000 PE) discharging into a coastal area, the plant is required to meet stringent treatment standards under the EU UWWTD, typically including tertiary treatment to protect sensitive marine environments.
In Spain, large agglomerations like this one are typically required to provide secondary treatment at minimum, and often tertiary treatment (nutrient removal) when discharging into sensitive coastal waters, in compliance with the EU UWWTD.
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