Overview
GUARENA wastewater treatment plant serves Oliva de Mérida in Extremadura, Spain, with a population equivalent of 14,500. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this siz
GUARENA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Oliva de Mérida, a municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The plant serves a population equivalent of 14,500, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As part of Spain's wastewater infrastructure, it contributes to the treatment of domestic wastewater from the local community. The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 15,000. This regulatory framework ensures that the plant meets European standards for wastewater treatment before discharge. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The treated effluent from GUARENA is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Guadiana River basin. The Guadiana River flows westward through Extremadura and into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Guadiana basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities in the region.
Environmental context
The GUARENA plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, one of the major river systems in the Iberian Peninsula. The Guadiana flows through Extremadura and into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz. The basin supports a variety of ecosystems, including wetlands and riparian habitats that are important for migratory birds and aquatic species. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region, which is also used for irrigation and drinking water supply downstream.
Frequently asked questions
The GUARENA plant is located in Oliva de Mérida, a municipality in the province of Badajoz, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 14,500, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which flows through Extremadura and into the Atlantic Ocean. It helps protect the water quality of the Guadiana and its tributaries.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 15,000, such as GUARENA, are required to provide secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, more advanced treatment may be needed.
In Spain, plants serving medium-sized agglomerations like GUARENA typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EU standards. The exact process depends on local conditions and discharge requirements.
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