GRAN TARAJAL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tuineje, Canarias, Spain

GRAN TARAJAL is a wastewater treatment plant located in Tuineje, on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,595 residents in the Gran Tarajal area, a coastal town on the eastern shore of the island. As part of Spain's wastewater infrastructure, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. For a plant serving a population of around 5,600, the EU directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum, with more stringent requirements if the discharge is into sensitive areas. Given the coastal location, the plant likely employs secondary treatment to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating a small to medium-scale facility. The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, as the plant is within 50 km of the coast. The receiving waters support marine ecosystems typical of the Canary Islands, including seagrass meadows and fish populations. The plant plays a key role in protecting coastal water quality and public health in the region.

The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near Gran Tarajal, on the eastern coast of Fuerteventura. The coastal waters are part of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem, supporting diverse marine life including sea turtles, dolphins, and migratory fish. Protecting water quality is essential for tourism and local fisheries.