Finestrat Wastewater Treatment Plant: Advanced Treatment in Alicante, Spain

The Finestrat wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Finestrat, within the Marina Baixa comarca of Alicante, in the Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. It serves a population of 2,626, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Mediterranean coast, within 10 km of the shoreline. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive coastal waters. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,916 m³/day and a reported discharge volume of 263.69 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal waters of the Costa Blanca are ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life and tourism. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect water quality in this region.

The Finestrat plant discharges into the Marina Baixa watershed, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the Costa Blanca. This coastal area supports seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity, and is a popular tourist destination. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality for recreational use and aquatic ecosystems.