FINANA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fiñana, Almería, Spain

FINANA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Fiñana, a municipality in the province of Almería, Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,800 residents, reflecting the scale of a small agglomeration. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates within the Mediterranean climate zone of southern Spain. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity of 2,800 m³/day matches the population served, indicating a facility sized appropriately for its catchment. The plant discharges a wastewater volume of 507.49 m³/day, suggesting a utilization rate well below capacity. Treated effluent from FINANA is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Mediterranean Sea via the Andarax River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality in a region where water resources are scarce and ecologically sensitive. Its secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and nutrients, supporting the health of receiving waters.

FINANA discharges into the Andarax River basin, which flows southward to the Mediterranean Sea near Almería. The region experiences a semi-arid climate with limited water resources, making the protection of surface waters critical for both ecological and agricultural uses. Downstream ecosystems include riparian habitats and coastal zones that support diverse aquatic life, including migratory bird species. The plant's secondary treatment helps mitigate nutrient pollution, which is essential for preventing eutrophication in the sensitive Mediterranean coastal environment.