Overview
La Bañeza wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of La Bañeza in Castilla y León, Spain, with a population equivalent of 15,390. The plant discharges into the Órbigo River, a tributary of the Esla River, which flows into the Duero River a
The La Bañeza wastewater treatment plant is located in the province of León, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 15,390 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant is situated along the Carretera Madrid a Coruña, near the Órbigo River. As a facility in the European Union, the plant operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters a sensitive area. It is expected to meet at least secondary treatment standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the Órbigo River, which flows into the Esla River, a major tributary of the Duero River. The Duero basin is one of the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, draining into the Atlantic Ocean near Porto, Portugal. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the Órbigo River and downstream ecosystems, including the Duero estuary.
Environmental context
The La Bañeza plant discharges into the Órbigo River, a tributary of the Esla River, which flows into the Duero River. The Duero basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important agricultural and ecological corridor. The river ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean, where the Duero estuary provides critical habitat for migratory fish and bird species. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for maintaining regional biodiversity and supporting downstream water uses.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Carretera Madrid a A Coruña in La Bañeza, province of León, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 15,390 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Órbigo River, which flows into the Esla River and then the Duero River, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish plant in the EU, it operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 people, and potentially tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving 10,000 to 150,000 people must provide at least secondary treatment. In Spain, many such plants also incorporate nutrient removal to meet water quality standards in sensitive basins like the Duero.
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