CARDONA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cardona, Catalunya, Spain

CARDONA is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Cardona, a town in the Bages comarca of Catalunya, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,754 residents and has a designed capacity of 9,375 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 611.33 m³/day. As an advanced treatment facility, it provides a high level of pollutant removal, including nutrients, which is essential for protecting sensitive receiving waters. The plant operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection, treatment, and discharge. For agglomerations of this size (2,754 PE), the directive requires secondary treatment, but CARDONA goes beyond this with advanced treatment, likely due to the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The plant's capacity utilization is low, indicating it is designed for future growth or seasonal peaks. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Cardener River, a tributary of the Llobregat River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona. The Cardener-Llobregat system supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for the region. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protects downstream ecosystems, including the Llobregat Delta, a key coastal wetland.

The plant discharges into the Cardener River, which flows into the Llobregat River and ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea. The Llobregat basin is a vital water source for Barcelona and supports diverse aquatic habitats. Advanced treatment at CARDONA reduces nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream ecosystems, including the Llobregat Delta, which is ecologically sensitive and supports migratory birds and fish species.