ETAR Los Abrigos - Primary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife

ETAR Los Abrigos is a wastewater treatment facility located in the coastal town of Los Abrigos, within the municipality of Granadilla de Abona on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The plant serves a population of around 4,087 residents and has a designed capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 740.76 cubic meters per day. As a primary treatment plant, ETAR Los Abrigos provides basic physical treatment such as sedimentation to remove settleable solids. Under Spanish regulations transposing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 are generally required to have secondary treatment. However, primary treatment may be acceptable for discharges into coastal waters if studies show no adverse environmental impact. The plant's current treatment level suggests it may be operating under such a derogation or awaiting upgrades. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean near the southern coast of Tenerife. The surrounding marine environment supports diverse coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and rocky reef habitats. The Canary Islands are a biodiversity hotspot, and proper wastewater management is critical to protect water quality and marine life in this sensitive oceanic region.

ETAR Los Abrigos discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean off the southern coast of Tenerife. The receiving waters are part of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which supports rich biodiversity including sea turtles, cetaceans, and endemic fish species. The coastal zone near Los Abrigos features rocky shores and sandy beaches that are important for recreation and local fisheries. Effective treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the ecological health of these marine habitats.