Cambados Vilanova de Arousa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cambados, Galicia

The Cambados Vilanova de Arousa wastewater treatment plant is located in the O Salnés region of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. It serves the municipality of Cambados and surrounding areas, with a population equivalent of around 25,510. The plant is situated near the Atlantic coast, less than 50 km from the shoreline, and plays a key role in protecting the local marine environment. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration in Spain, it operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for discharges to coastal waters, and more advanced treatment if the receiving area is designated as sensitive. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating it is sized to handle the wastewater from its service population. The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean via the Ría de Arousa, a coastal inlet that supports rich marine biodiversity, including shellfish beds and migratory bird populations. The plant's operation is critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive estuary, which is also important for local fisheries and tourism.

The plant discharges into the Ría de Arousa, a large coastal inlet on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. This estuary supports diverse marine life, including commercially important shellfish species and serves as a habitat for migratory birds. The surrounding watershed drains from the Galician interior, and the plant's treated effluent contributes to the overall water quality of the ría, which is vital for local fishing and tourism industries.