GARROVILLAS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Garrovillas de Alconétar, Extremadura, Spain

GARROVILLAS is a wastewater treatment plant located in Garrovillas de Alconétar, a municipality in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,100 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Spanish and EU regulations. It operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for inland freshwater discharges under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant has a designed capacity of 4,100 m³/day and treats an average daily flow of 743.11 m³, indicating significant spare capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it employs biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant is part of Spain's national wastewater infrastructure, regulated under the Spanish Water Law and EU directives, ensuring compliance with discharge standards for inland waters. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, likely tributaries of the Tagus River basin, which flows westward through Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Extremadura region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, influencing seasonal flow variations. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and supporting aquatic ecosystems in the Tagus basin.

The plant discharges into the Tagus River basin, one of the Iberian Peninsula's major river systems, which flows through Spain and Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean. The receiving water body supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as barbel and nase, and provides habitat for migratory birds. The region's seasonal rainfall patterns affect dilution capacity, making consistent treatment important for maintaining ecological balance.