Overview
GALINDO is a major wastewater treatment plant in Sestao, Euskadi, Spain, serving over 1.2 million people. It is located near the coast and plays a key role in protecting the Bay of Biscay.
GALINDO is a large wastewater treatment plant located in Sestao, within the Basque Country (Euskadi), Spain. It serves a population of approximately 1,211,499 people, making it one of the largest treatment facilities in the region. The plant is situated near the Nervión River estuary, close to the coast of the Bay of Biscay. As a facility serving a population well above 150,000, GALINDO falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) classification of a 'large agglomeration'. This directive requires such plants to implement secondary treatment as a minimum, and tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating its substantial scale. The treated effluent from GALINDO is discharged into the Nervión River estuary, which flows into the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect marine ecosystems, including fisheries and biodiversity in the Cantabrian Sea. The plant's operation is critical for maintaining water quality in the estuary and supporting the ecological health of the surrounding coastal environment.
Environmental context
GALINDO discharges into the Nervión River estuary, which flows into the Bay of Biscay, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, requiring advanced treatment to minimize nutrient loading and protect marine habitats from eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
GALINDO is located in Sestao, in the province of Bizkaia, within the Basque Country (Euskadi), Spain. Its address is near the Puente del Tren de Triano, in the Larrea area of Sestao.
GALINDO serves a population of approximately 1,211,499 people, making it a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
GALINDO discharges treated wastewater into the Nervión River estuary, which flows into the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean. Being within 50 km of the coast, the plant's discharge is subject to stringent environmental controls.
As a Spanish plant serving over 150,000 people, GALINDO operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive mandates secondary treatment and, for discharges into sensitive coastal areas, tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients.
For large agglomerations like GALINDO, Spanish regulations require at least secondary biological treatment. Many such plants also incorporate tertiary treatment (e. g. , nutrient removal) to meet water quality standards for coastal discharge, in line with the EU Water Framework Directive.
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