MARINES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Olocau, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain

The MARINES wastewater treatment plant is located in Olocau, within the Comunitat Valenciana region of Spain. It serves a population of 2,206 and operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,344 m³/day and currently discharges 395.70 m³/day of treated effluent. As a secondary treatment facility, MARINES provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the standards set by the EU directive for inland freshwater discharge. The plant's capacity utilization is low, indicating ample reserve for future growth or seasonal variations. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, which influences its discharge requirements. The treated effluent from MARINES is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Mediterranean Sea via the Turia River basin. The region's semi-arid climate makes water reuse and quality management important for sustaining agricultural and ecological needs. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local watershed and downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Turia River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Valencia. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important agricultural and ecological corridor. The region's Mediterranean climate means water resources are seasonally stressed, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality in the river and coastal zone.