Cuerva Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cuerva, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

The Cuerva wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Cuerva, in the province of Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. It serves a small population of approximately 1,650 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated along the CM-410 road, providing essential sanitation services to the local area. The plant operates with 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 (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000. The plant treats an average daily flow of 279 m³. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring compliance with EU effluent standards. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Tagus River basin, one of the most important river systems in Spain and the Iberian Peninsula. The Tagus River flows westward through central Spain and Portugal, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The plant's operations help protect the local streams and the downstream aquatic environment from pollution, supporting biodiversity and water quality in the region.

The Cuerva plant discharges into the Tagus River basin, which is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. The Tagus River and its tributaries support diverse aquatic life and provide water for agriculture, industry, and human consumption. Downstream, the river flows through the Alcantara reservoir and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants, helping to maintain the ecological health of the watershed and prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies.