COMARCAL LOS LLANOS_EL PASO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tijarafe, Canarias, Spain

COMARCAL LOS LLANOS_EL PASO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Tijarafe, on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. The plant serves a population of about 5,953 people, making it a medium-sized facility for the region. Its coastal location places it within 50 km of the ocean, which influences its operational and environmental considerations. As a Spanish plant, it operates under the national implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations of this size (5,953 PE), the directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum. The regulatory framework ensures that effluent quality meets standards for discharge into sensitive coastal environments. The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal waters of La Palma. The island's volcanic terrain and steep slopes contribute to rapid runoff, making wastewater management critical for protecting marine ecosystems. The surrounding waters support diverse marine life, including cetaceans and sea turtles, and are part of a broader ecologically sensitive region. Proper treatment helps safeguard these habitats from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

The plant's discharge enters the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of La Palma, part of the Canary Islands archipelago. The marine environment here is characterized by strong currents and upwelling, which support rich biodiversity including seabirds, fish, and marine mammals. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, and any nutrient or contaminant loading from wastewater could impact local ecosystems. The plant's operation under EU directives helps mitigate these risks through required treatment standards.