Overview
LOIOLA wastewater treatment plant serves Donostia / San Sebastián in Euskadi, Spain, with a population equivalent of 553,000. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations d
LOIOLA is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Donostia / San Sebastián, within the Basque Country (Euskadi), Spain. Serving a population equivalent of 553,000, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the Ipar-Ekialdea district, near the coast of the Bay of Biscay. As a large agglomeration, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires more stringent treatment (tertiary or advanced) for discharges into sensitive areas such as coastal waters. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating a substantial infrastructure to handle the region's wastewater. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with European standards for nutrient removal and pathogen reduction. The treated effluent from LOIOLA is discharged into the Bay of Biscay, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal waters of the Basque Country support diverse marine life, including fisheries and migratory species. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the marine environment from nutrient pollution and pathogens, thereby safeguarding both ecological health and recreational uses of the coastline.
Environmental context
The receiving water body for LOIOLA is the Bay of Biscay, a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean. This coastal area is ecologically sensitive, supporting rich biodiversity including seabird colonies, cetaceans, and commercial fish stocks. The plant's discharge must meet stringent standards to prevent eutrophication and protect marine habitats. The region's steep terrain and urban density make effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality along the Basque coast.
Frequently asked questions
LOIOLA is located in the Ipar-Ekialdea district of Donostia / San Sebastián, in the Basque Country (Euskadi), Spain. Its address is Bajaundi, Ategorrieta - Ulia, Donostia / San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa.
The treated effluent from LOIOLA is discharged into the Bay of Biscay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As a coastal plant, it must meet strict EU standards for marine discharge to protect the sensitive coastal ecosystem.
LOIOLA treats wastewater from the Donostia / San Sebastián area, preventing pollution from entering local streams and the Urumea River, which flows into the Bay of Biscay. By treating the wastewater, it helps maintain water quality in the coastal waters.
LOIOLA serves a population equivalent of 553,000, classifying it as a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Such plants are required to provide more advanced treatment (tertiary) when discharging into sensitive areas like the Bay of Biscay, to reduce nutrients and protect the marine environment.
In Spain, wastewater treatment plants serving large agglomerations (over 100,000 population equivalent) typically employ secondary biological treatment followed by tertiary processes such as nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) and disinfection. This is especially important for coastal plants to comply with the EU UWWTD and protect bathing waters and marine ecosystems.
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