Overview
LAS BURRAS wastewater treatment plant serves San Bartolomé de Tirajana in the Canary Islands, Spain, with a population equivalent of 103,651. The facility is located near the coast and operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
LAS BURRAS is a wastewater treatment plant located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 103,651, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the coast, with its outfall likely discharging into the Atlantic Ocean. As a large agglomeration in a sensitive coastal area, the plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The directive requires more advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive areas, which includes coastal zones with high ecological value. The plant's designed capacity is 1. The treated effluent from LAS BURRAS is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, which surrounds the Canary Islands. The coastal waters support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and coral reefs, and are important for tourism and fisheries. Proper treatment is essential to protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern coast of Gran Canaria. The coastal waters are part of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which supports a rich biodiversity including sea turtles, cetaceans, and endemic fish species. The area is also a popular tourist destination, making water quality crucial for both ecological and economic reasons. The EU's Water Framework Directive aims to achieve good ecological status for these waters, requiring effective nutrient removal to prevent eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
LAS BURRAS is located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Spain. Its address is near the Official Surf & Kitesurf School in San Agustín.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 103,651, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent from LAS BURRAS is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, as the plant is located within 50 km of the coast. It likely enters coastal waters near San Agustín.
As a Spanish plant serving over 100,000 people, LAS BURRAS operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for large agglomerations and more stringent treatment for discharges into sensitive coastal areas.
For plants of this scale in Spain, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard. In sensitive coastal areas like the Canary Islands, tertiary treatment with nutrient removal may be required to protect marine ecosystems.
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