ELX CARRIZALES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Elx/Elche, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain

ELX CARRIZALES is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Elx/Elche, within the Comunitat Valenciana region of Spain. The facility serves a population of 5,824 and is situated near the Mediterranean coast, less than 10 km inland. It operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for treatment based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, providing a higher level of purification beyond secondary treatment. With a designed capacity of 23,333 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 865.05 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity. This suggests ample room for future growth or seasonal variations. The plant's advanced treatment likely includes nutrient removal, which is important for protecting coastal waters from eutrophication. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal environment in this region supports diverse marine life and is ecologically sensitive. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding water quality in the area, particularly given its proximity to the coast and the potential impact on tourism and fisheries.

The plant discharges into the local drainage network that flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the Costa Blanca. This coastal region supports seagrass meadows and marine habitats that are sensitive to nutrient pollution. Advanced treatment helps reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads, protecting downstream ecosystems from eutrophication and maintaining water quality for recreational use.