Overview
The MACAEL wastewater treatment plant serves Cantoria in Andalucía, Spain, with a population equivalent of 20,897. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The MACAEL wastewater treatment plant is located in Cantoria, within the Valle del Almanzora in Almería, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 20,897, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the coast, and its operations are part of the regional wastewater infrastructure managed by the Andalusian water authority. As a facility in the European Union, MACAEL is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant is expected to meet these regulatory standards to protect local water quality. The treated effluent from MACAEL likely discharges into the Almanzora River basin, which flows through the arid region of Almería before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The river supports agricultural irrigation and local ecosystems, making proper wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and preventing eutrophication in downstream coastal waters.
Environmental context
The MACAEL plant discharges into the Almanzora River basin, a seasonal river system in southeastern Spain that ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea near the coast of Almería. The region's semi-arid climate means river flows are variable, and treated wastewater provides a crucial water source for downstream agriculture and wetlands. The receiving environment supports diverse aquatic life and migratory birds, and the plant's compliance with EU directives helps prevent nutrient pollution that could harm the sensitive coastal marine ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The MACAEL plant is located in Cantoria, in the Valle del Almanzora, Almería, Andalucía, Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 20,897, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent likely discharges into the Almanzora River basin, which flows to the Mediterranean Sea.
As a Spanish facility, MACAEL operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of its size.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 10,000 to 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
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