Overview
LAGARES VIGO is a large municipal wastewater treatment plant serving Vigo, Galicia, Spain. It treats wastewater for over 418,000 people and discharges into the Atlantic Ocean via the Ría de Vigo.
LAGARES VIGO is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Vigo, within the province of Pontevedra in the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 418,686, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). Its coastal position near the Ría de Vigo places it in a sensitive marine environment. As a large agglomeration, the plant is required to meet stringent treatment standards under the EU UWWTD, which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. The Ría de Vigo is a nutrient-sensitive estuary, so advanced treatment is expected to protect water quality. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating substantial infrastructure. The treated effluent is discharged into the Ría de Vigo, a coastal inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary supports diverse marine life, including shellfish beds and migratory fish species. The plant plays a critical role in preventing nutrient pollution and safeguarding the ecological health of the ría, which is also important for local tourism and fisheries.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ría de Vigo, a coastal estuary connected to the Atlantic Ocean. This water body is ecologically sensitive, supporting rich biodiversity including seagrass meadows, shellfish populations, and migratory birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater could lead to eutrophication, so advanced treatment is essential to maintain water quality and protect downstream marine habitats.
Frequently asked questions
LAGARES VIGO is located in Vigo, in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. Its address is Dernisela, As Fontes, Alcabre, Vigo, Pontevedra, Galicia, 36212.
The plant serves a population of approximately 418,686, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Ría de Vigo, a coastal estuary that flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Spanish plant serving over 150,000 people, LAGARES VIGO operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and, for sensitive areas like the Ría de Vigo, tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients.
For large agglomerations in Spain, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary biological treatment as a minimum. Given the coastal sensitive area, advanced treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) is typically implemented to protect the marine environment.
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