LAXE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Laxe, Galicia, Spain

The LAXE wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Laxe, in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 3,423 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Atlantic coast, within 10 km of the shoreline, and its operations are critical for protecting the local marine environment. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for sensitive areas. With a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 765.22 m³/day, the plant operates well within its capacity. As a small coastal plant, it is subject to stringent discharge standards to prevent nutrient pollution in the receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean via the local coastal waters. The surrounding area includes the Rías Altas region, known for its rich marine biodiversity and important fishing grounds. The advanced treatment helps minimize environmental impact, supporting the ecological health of the Galician coast and its dependent ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean along the Galician coast, part of the Rías Altas region. This area features a rugged coastline with estuaries and bays that support diverse marine life, including shellfish banks and migratory fish species. The advanced treatment reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in these sensitive coastal waters, which are also important for local fisheries and tourism.