Madrigal de la Vera Wastewater Treatment Plant | Secondary Treatment, Extremadura

The Madrigal de la Vera wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Madrigal de la Vera, in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,200 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and treats wastewater from the local community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000. The designed capacity of 5,200 cubic meters per day aligns with the population served, indicating adequate sizing for the community's needs. The plant discharges an average of 942.49 cubic meters of treated wastewater daily. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse, which eventually flows into the Tiétar River, a tributary of the Tagus River. The Tagus River is one of the longest rivers in the Iberian Peninsula, draining into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local watershed and downstream ecosystems from untreated sewage.

The plant discharges into a local stream that feeds into the Tiétar River, a major tributary of the Tagus River. The Tagus basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and human consumption. The region's Mediterranean climate with seasonal rainfall means that maintaining water quality in the Tiétar and Tagus rivers is critical for ecological health and downstream communities. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution and nutrient loads, protecting sensitive freshwater habitats.