Overview
LA UNION wastewater treatment plant serves Cartagena, Spain, in the Región de Murcia. It treats wastewater from a population of approximately 17,852 under EU regulatory standards.
LA UNION is a wastewater treatment plant located in El Algar, Cartagena, within the Campo de Cartagena y Mar Menor area of the Región de Murcia, Spain. The plant serves a population of around 17,852, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU classifications. As a Spanish facility, LA UNION operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Compliance with the directive ensures appropriate treatment before discharge. The regulatory framework also mandates monitoring and reporting to protect receiving waters. The plant is situated within 50 km of the coast, indicating its discharge likely reaches the Mediterranean Sea via local watercourses. The surrounding Campo de Cartagena region is an agricultural area with ecological significance, and the Mar Menor coastal lagoon is a nearby sensitive ecosystem. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect marine biodiversity.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent likely drains into the Mar Menor coastal lagoon or directly into the Mediterranean Sea via the Campo de Cartagena drainage network. The Mar Menor is a hypersaline lagoon of high ecological value, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication, making advanced treatment important for preserving water quality in this sensitive coastal environment.
Frequently asked questions
LA UNION is located in El Algar, Cartagena, in the Campo de Cartagena y Mar Menor area of the Región de Murcia, Spain.
The plant serves approximately 17,852 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU standards.
As a Spanish plant, LA UNION operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and requires monitoring to protect sensitive areas like the Mar Menor.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalents typically require secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and nutrients.
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