GUADARRAMA MEDIO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Villanueva de la Cañada, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain

GUADARRAMA MEDIO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Villanueva de la Cañada, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 69,424, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that eventually flow into the Tagus River basin. As a plant serving over 10,000 population equivalent in Spain, GUADARRAMA MEDIO is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum, and for agglomerations above 15,000 PE discharging into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated. The Comunidad de Madrid has designated certain water bodies as sensitive, which could influence the treatment requirements for this facility. Given its location in the Tagus River basin, treated wastewater likely flows into tributaries of the Tagus, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Tagus basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the Iberian Peninsula. Proper treatment at GUADARRAMA MEDIO helps protect downstream water quality and biodiversity.

The plant is located in the Tagus River basin, one of the major river systems in Spain and Portugal. The Tagus River flows westward, eventually discharging into the Atlantic Ocean at the Tagus Estuary near Lisbon. This estuary is a vital habitat for migratory birds and supports a rich diversity of fish and invertebrates. The Comunidad de Madrid has identified several sensitive areas within the basin, requiring advanced treatment to prevent eutrophication and protect aquatic ecosystems.