EDAR Complejo Ambiental de Arico - Wastewater Treatment in Arico, Canary Islands, Spain

EDAR Complejo Ambiental de Arico is a wastewater treatment facility located in Arico, on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,823 residents, placing it in the small agglomeration category under EU regulations. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment. As a Spanish facility, it is regulated by national water law and the regional government of the Canary Islands, which oversees compliance with discharge standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local environment on Tenerife, an island in the Atlantic Ocean. The Canary Islands are a volcanic archipelago with unique ecosystems, and proper wastewater treatment is essential to protect coastal waters and marine biodiversity. The plant contributes to safeguarding the surrounding watershed and downstream marine habitats.

The plant discharges into the local watershed on Tenerife, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The Canary Islands host ecologically sensitive coastal and marine environments, including seagrass meadows and coral reefs that support diverse aquatic life. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient pollution and protect these fragile ecosystems.