Madrigal de las Altas Torres Wastewater Treatment Plant | Ávila, Castilla y León

The Madrigal de las Altas Torres wastewater treatment plant is located in the province of Ávila, within the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain. It serves a population of 3,750, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and European Union regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the municipal infrastructure for the town of Madrigal de las Altas Torres. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,750 population equivalents, and it discharges an average daily volume of 476.78 cubic meters of treated wastewater. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Duero River basin, one of the major river systems in the Iberian Peninsula. The Duero River flows westward through Spain and Portugal before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's operations help protect the local aquatic environment and downstream water quality, supporting ecological health in the region.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Duero River basin, which flows through the Castilla y León region. The Duero River is a vital water resource for agriculture and ecosystems, supporting diverse aquatic life. Downstream, the river forms the border between Spain and Portugal before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, contributing to the ecological balance of the watershed.