Overview
L'Arboç Gornal secondary treatment plant serves l'Arboç, Catalunya, Spain. It discharges treated wastewater near the Mediterranean coast, with a design capacity of 8,233 m³/day.
L'Arboç Gornal is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in l'Arboç, in the Baix Penedès region of Catalunya, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,939 people and is situated near the Mediterranean coast, within 10 km of the shoreline. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The directive mandates secondary treatment for populations between 2,000 and 10,000 in inland areas, though coastal discharges may require additional nutrient removal to protect sensitive marine environments. The plant's design capacity is 8,233 m³/day, with an average daily discharge volume of 970.57 m³. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal location means the discharge may affect nearshore water quality and marine ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's coastal waters from untreated sewage, supporting tourism and local biodiversity.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea via local streams in the Baix Penedès region. The coastal waters support diverse marine life and are important for recreation and fisheries. Nutrient inputs from treated wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in semi-enclosed coastal areas, so effective secondary treatment is essential to minimize ecological impact.
Frequently asked questions
L'Arboç Gornal is located in l'Arboç, in the Baix Penedès region of Catalunya, Spain, near the Mediterranean coast.
The plant serves approximately 4,939 people in the l'Arboç area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local water bodies that flow into the Mediterranean Sea, given its coastal location within 10 km of the coast.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size.
As a Spanish plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for inland discharges and may require more stringent treatment for coastal discharges to protect sensitive marine areas.
Nearby plants