Overview
CASTUERA wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of Castuera in Extremadura, Spain. It handles a population equivalent of approximately 14,500 under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The CASTUERA wastewater treatment plant is located in Castuera, a town in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The facility serves a population of approximately 14,500, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. As a Spanish plant, CASTUERA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Guadiana River basin. The Guadiana River flows westward through Extremadura and forms part of the border with Portugal before reaching the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean. The region supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities dependent on water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, a major watercourse in southwestern Europe. The Guadiana flows through Extremadura and into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz. Downstream ecosystems include riparian habitats and wetlands that support migratory birds and endemic fish species. Maintaining treatment standards is critical to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect downstream water quality for agriculture and biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The CASTUERA plant is located in Castuera, a municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 14,500 people.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which flows into the Guadiana River basin and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, the CASTUERA plant, serving a medium agglomeration of 14,500 people, is required to provide at least secondary treatment. Additional treatment may be needed if the receiving waters are sensitive to eutrophication.
In Spain, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, in compliance with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The specific process depends on local discharge requirements and receiving water sensitivity.
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