Hornachos Wastewater Treatment Plant, Extremadura, Spain

The Hornachos wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Hornachos, in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The facility serves a population of approximately 6,400 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Spanish and EU regulations. As a plant in Spain, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates appropriate treatment before discharge into inland waters, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Guadiana River basin, one of the major river systems in the Iberian Peninsula. The Guadiana flows southward to the Gulf of Cádiz, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural activities along its course.

The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which flows through Extremadura and into the Gulf of Cádiz. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life and is important for regional biodiversity. The Guadiana River is a key water resource for irrigation and wildlife, making proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream habitats.