FORNES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Arenas del Rey, Andalucía, Spain

FORNES is a wastewater treatment plant located in Arenas del Rey, a municipality in the Comarca de Alhama, Granada, within the autonomous community of Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a small population of 1,132 and is designed with a capacity of 2,081 m³/day. It is currently classified as closed, with no operational status. As a secondary treatment facility, FORNES provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), secondary treatment is the standard requirement for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The plant's designed capacity suggests it was built to accommodate a larger population than currently served, possibly reflecting historical or seasonal demand. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Guadalfeo River basin. The region's semi-arid climate and proximity to the coast (within 50 km) make water quality management important for downstream ecosystems, including coastal waters that support marine biodiversity.

The plant is located inland in the Guadalfeo River basin, which flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea near the Costa Tropical. The receiving water body is likely a small tributary or stream that contributes to the river's flow. Downstream, the river supports irrigated agriculture and provides habitat for aquatic species. The coastal zone is ecologically sensitive, with seagrass meadows and marine habitats that benefit from controlled nutrient discharges.