FUENTE OBEJUNA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fuente Obejuna, Andalucía

The FUENTE OBEJUNA wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Fuente Obejuna, in the province of Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 3,017 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the regional water management infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 11,000 m³/day, the facility is sized to accommodate future growth and seasonal variations. The treatment process ensures that effluent meets regulatory standards before discharge. The treated wastewater is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Guadalquivir River basin, one of Spain's major river systems. The Guadalquivir flows through Andalucía and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Cádiz. The plant plays a key role in protecting the ecological health of the region's rivers and downstream wetlands.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Guadalquivir River basin. The Guadalquivir is the longest river in Andalucía and supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species. Downstream, the river forms the Guadalquivir Marshes, an ecologically sensitive area that provides critical habitat for waterbirds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollution, contributing to the overall health of this important watershed.