Cortes de Baza Wastewater Treatment Plant, Andalucía, Spain

The Cortes de Baza wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Cortes de Baza, within the province of Granada in the autonomous community of Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,924 residents, making it a small-scale facility in the region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000. The designed capacity is 2,000 m³/day, and the actual discharge volume is 529.97 m³/day, indicating operational capacity utilization. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local watershed and downstream aquatic ecosystems from untreated wastewater pollution.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Guadalquivir River basin, which eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea. The region is characterized by a semi-arid climate, and the receiving water bodies support diverse aquatic life and agricultural uses. Proper treatment helps prevent eutrophication and protects downstream ecosystems.