Overview
Don Benito Villanueva de la Serena wastewater treatment plant serves 62,000 people in Extremadura, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Don Benito Villanueva de la Serena wastewater treatment plant is located in Don Benito, Badajoz, within the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. Serving a population of approximately 62,000, the plant is a key component of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure, managing effluent from both Don Benito and nearby Villanueva de la Serena. As a facility serving an agglomeration between 10,000 and 150,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. This directive requires secondary treatment (biological treatment) for such agglomerations, with more stringent tertiary treatment if the discharge enters a sensitive area. Compliance with the directive ensures a minimum level of treatment to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the Guadiana River basin, which flows westward through Extremadura and eventually reaches the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean. The Guadiana River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for agriculture and ecosystems in the region. The plant's operation helps maintain the ecological health of this river system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which drains into the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean. The Guadiana River supports a variety of aquatic species and is ecologically sensitive due to its role in sustaining local biodiversity and agricultural water supply. The plant's treatment processes help mitigate nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream habitats and water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Don Benito, Badajoz, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. Its address is Carretera de la depuradora de aguas residuales, Don Benito, Badajoz, 06400.
The plant serves approximately 62,000 people, covering the municipalities of Don Benito and Villanueva de la Serena.
The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which flows through Extremadura and into the Gulf of Cádiz. By treating wastewater, the plant helps protect the water quality of the Guadiana River and its downstream ecosystems.
As a plant serving an agglomeration of 62,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent. If the receiving water is a sensitive area, tertiary treatment may be required.
In Spain, plants of this scale typically provide secondary biological treatment as a minimum, in line with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Some plants may also include nutrient removal or disinfection depending on local environmental requirements.
Nearby plants