Overview
MANRESA wastewater treatment plant serves 90,261 people in Manresa, Catalunya, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The MANRESA wastewater treatment plant is located in the Bufalvent industrial area of Manresa, in the province of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. It serves a population of 90,261, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the Mediterranean coast, and its operations are integral to the region's water management infrastructure. As a plant serving over 10,000 people in the European Union, MANRESA is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations of this size, with tertiary treatment mandated if the receiving water body is designated as a sensitive area. The regulatory framework ensures a minimum level of treatment to protect water quality. The treated effluent from MANRESA is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Llobregat River basin. The Llobregat River is a key water resource for the Barcelona metropolitan area and supports diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's operation helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, contributing to the ecological health of the river and the coastal waters of the Catalan coast.
Environmental context
The MANRESA plant discharges into the Llobregat River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona. The Llobregat River supports a variety of aquatic life and is an important water source for the region. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive coastal areas that benefit from reduced nutrient inputs from wastewater treatment. The plant's location inland, about 50 km from the coast, means its discharge undergoes natural attenuation in the river before reaching the sea.
Frequently asked questions
The MANRESA plant is located at Carrer de Pau Miralda in the Bufalvent industrial area of Manresa, in the province of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
The plant serves a population of 90,261, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Llobregat River basin and ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
As a plant serving over 10,000 people, MANRESA is required to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU UWWTD. If the receiving water body is sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.
In Spain, plants of this scale typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge, and may include nutrient removal to comply with EU directives for sensitive areas.
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