GANDO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Telde, Canary Islands, Spain

GANDO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Telde, on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 6,563 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant is situated near the coast, within 10 km of the Atlantic Ocean. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for discharges into coastal waters. It has a designed capacity of 8,300 m³/day and currently treats an average daily flow of 768.92 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, likely via a marine outfall. The Canary Islands are a biodiversity hotspot, and the coastal waters support sensitive marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and coral reefs. Proper treatment is essential to protect these habitats from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.

The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of Gran Canaria. The coastal waters are part of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which supports diverse marine life including sea turtles, dolphins, and endemic fish species. The area is ecologically sensitive due to the presence of seagrass beds and rocky reefs that provide critical habitat. Effective wastewater treatment helps prevent eutrophication and maintains water quality for tourism and fisheries.