Chinchilla de Montearagón Wastewater Treatment Plant, Castilla-La Mancha

The Chinchilla de Montearagón wastewater treatment plant is located in the industrial polygon of Monte Aragón, serving the municipality of Chinchilla de Montearagón in the province of Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. This facility treats wastewater from a population of approximately 6,000 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic sewage for a small agglomeration. 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. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies, aligning with Spain's implementation of the directive in inland areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Júcar River basin and then to the Mediterranean Sea. By providing advanced treatment, the plant helps maintain water quality in the region's rivers and supports the ecological health of downstream environments, including agricultural and natural areas.

The plant discharges into the Júcar River basin, which flows eastward to the Mediterranean Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for irrigation in the semi-arid Castilla-La Mancha region. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient loads, protecting downstream water bodies from eutrophication and preserving ecological balance.