Matadepera Wastewater Treatment Plant, Catalunya, Spain

The Matadepera wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Matadepera, in the Vallès Occidental region of Catalunya, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 2,500 people, making it a small-scale facility within the regional wastewater infrastructure. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates under Spanish and European Union regulations. 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 of this size. The designed capacity is 8,125 m³/day, while the current discharge volume is 671.84 m³/day, indicating ample capacity for future growth. Secondary treatment typically involves biological degradation of organic matter followed by sedimentation. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Besòs or Llobregat river basins, which are ecologically important for the region. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and supporting aquatic life in the Catalan coastal watershed.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Besòs or Llobregat river system, both of which drain into the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona. These rivers support diverse aquatic habitats and are important for regional biodiversity. The Mediterranean coastal zone is sensitive to nutrient pollution, and the plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and protect marine ecosystems.