CASAS IBANEZ Wastewater Treatment Plant, Casas-Ibáñez, Castilla-La Mancha

CASAS IBANEZ is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Casas-Ibáñez, a municipality in the province of Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 13,429 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are integral to local water management. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. This level of treatment is typically implemented in sensitive areas to reduce nutrient loads and protect receiving water bodies. The plant discharges an average of 927.00 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day, reflecting its capacity to handle the community's wastewater needs. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Júcar River basin, which flows eastward to the Mediterranean Sea. The Júcar River supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is used for irrigation and drinking water supply downstream. By providing advanced treatment, the plant helps maintain water quality in the basin and reduces the risk of eutrophication in downstream reservoirs and coastal areas.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Júcar River, which flows through the Castilla-La Mancha region and eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea near Cullera. The Júcar basin supports irrigated agriculture and provides habitat for native fish species such as the Júcar chub. Advanced treatment at this plant helps control nutrient inputs, protecting downstream water quality and aquatic biodiversity in a region where water resources are seasonally stressed.