Overview
LA CHINA wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 975,000 people in Madrid, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations in sensitive areas.
LA CHINA is a major wastewater treatment facility located in the Usera district of Madrid, Spain, within the Comunidad de Madrid. Serving a population of approximately 975,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations, requiring tertiary treatment to protect sensitive receiving waters. As a plant of this scale in the European Union, LA CHINA is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary biological treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment (nutrient removal) for discharges into sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these stringent standards, ensuring compliance with Spanish and EU water quality regulations. The treated effluent from LA CHINA is discharged into the Manzanares River, a tributary of the Jarama River, which flows into the Tagus River and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in central Spain. The plant plays a critical role in protecting water quality in the Tagus basin, which supplies drinking water and supports agriculture and biodiversity.
Environmental context
LA CHINA discharges into the Manzanares River, which flows into the Jarama River, a major tributary of the Tagus River. The Tagus basin is the longest river system in the Iberian Peninsula, supporting diverse ecosystems and providing water for millions of people. Downstream, the river reaches the Tagus Estuary in Portugal, a vital habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species. The plant's advanced treatment helps prevent eutrophication and protects this ecologically sensitive watershed.
Frequently asked questions
LA CHINA is located in the Usera district of Madrid, Spain, near the Complejo Deportivo Caja Mágica. It serves the southern part of the city and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent from LA CHINA is discharged into the Manzanares River, which flows into the Jarama River and then the Tagus River, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
LA CHINA protects the Manzanares River, Jarama River, and the Tagus River basin by treating wastewater before discharge, reducing nutrient and pollutant loads.
As a plant serving over 150,000 people, LA CHINA is classified as a large agglomeration under the EU UWWTD. It is required to provide secondary treatment and likely tertiary treatment to meet standards for sensitive areas.
Plants of this scale in Spain typically employ advanced biological treatment with nutrient removal (tertiary treatment) to comply with EU directives and protect sensitive water bodies like the Tagus basin.
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