Leciñena Wastewater Treatment Plant, Aragón | Spain

The Leciñena wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Leciñena, within the comarca of Los Monegros in the province of Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain. It serves a population of about 4,941 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 3,000 cubic meters per day, and the current discharge volume is 895.54 cubic meters per day, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse within the Ebro River basin. The Ebro River flows eastward to the Mediterranean Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural irrigation in the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality in the semi-arid Monegros area.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Ebro River, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The Ebro basin is one of Spain's largest river systems, supporting extensive agriculture and wetlands of ecological importance. The receiving water body in the Los Monegros region is sensitive to nutrient loading, making secondary treatment essential for preventing eutrophication and protecting downstream habitats.