Overview
EDAR DE EL FRANCO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving the town of El Franco in Asturias, Spain. It treats wastewater for a population of approximately 10,438 and is located near the coast of the Cantabrian Sea.
EDAR DE EL FRANCO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in El Franco, a town in the autonomous community of Asturias, Spain. The plant serves a population of around 10,438 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under Spanish and EU regulations. Its location near the coastal village of Viavélez places it within 50 kilometers of the Cantabrian Sea, making it part of the region's coastal wastewater infrastructure. As a Spanish plant serving a population between 2,000 and 15,000, EDAR DE EL FRANCO is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas, which coastal zones often are. The treated effluent from EDAR DE EL FRANCO is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Cantabrian Sea. This coastal discharge area supports diverse marine life and is part of the broader Bay of Biscay ecosystem. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal waters of Asturias from untreated sewage, helping to maintain water quality for both ecological and recreational purposes.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Cantabrian Sea, a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean that borders northern Spain. This coastal region supports a variety of marine species and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its rocky coastline and estuaries, which provide habitats for seabirds and marine life. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect the water quality of this coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
EDAR DE EL FRANCO is located in El Franco, a municipality in the autonomous community of Asturias, Spain. Its address is La Cruz, El Porto / Viavélez, Valdepares, El Franco, Asturias, 33746.
The plant serves a population of approximately 10,438 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The treated wastewater from EDAR DE EL FRANCO is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Cantabrian Sea. The plant's coastal location means its effluent enters a marine ecosystem.
As a Spanish plant serving over 2,000 people, EDAR DE EL FRANCO operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum. Coastal discharges may also be subject to additional requirements to protect sensitive marine areas.
For plants serving around 10,000 people in Spain, secondary treatment is the standard requirement under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This typically involves biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Some plants may also include tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
Nearby plants