MATAPOZUELOS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Matapozuelos, Castilla y León

The MATAPOZUELOS wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Matapozuelos, in the province of Valladolid, within the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Spain. This facility serves a population of approximately 2,000 residents, reflecting its role in managing municipal wastewater for a small inland community. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations under 2,000 population equivalent, the directive mandates appropriate treatment, and Spain's national regulations often require advanced treatment in sensitive areas or where receiving waters are vulnerable to eutrophication. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, ultimately contributing to the Duero River basin. The Duero River flows westward through Spain and into Portugal, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Porto. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems in this important transboundary river basin.

The plant discharges into the Duero River basin, which drains a large portion of northern Spain and Portugal. The Duero River supports diverse aquatic life and is used for irrigation and drinking water supply downstream. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in the river and its estuary, a critical habitat for migratory fish species.