EL RONQUILLO Wastewater Treatment Plant, El Ronquillo, Andalucía, Spain

The EL RONQUILLO wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of El Ronquillo, in the province of Seville, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 2,591 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and treats wastewater from the local urban community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 2,591 population equivalents, and the average daily discharge volume is 469.61 cubic meters. The treatment process ensures that organic matter and suspended solids are significantly reduced before the effluent is released. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Guadalquivir River basin, one of Spain's major river systems. The Guadalquivir flows southwest through Andalucía and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Cádiz. The plant's operations help protect the ecological health of the river and its downstream environments, including wetlands and estuaries that support diverse aquatic life.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Guadalquivir River basin, which flows through Andalucía and into the Atlantic Ocean. The Guadalquivir supports a variety of ecosystems, including marshes and estuaries that are important for migratory birds and fish species. Secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollution, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream waters.