MEDINA SIDONIA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Medina Sidonia, Andalucía

MEDINA SIDONIA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Medina Sidonia, within the province of Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population of 15,680, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under Spanish and EU regulations. As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's compliance with these standards ensures proper treatment before discharge. The treated effluent from MEDINA SIDONIA likely discharges into local water bodies that drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the Guadalete River basin or nearby coastal systems. The region's Mediterranean climate and proximity to the coast make proper wastewater management essential for protecting marine ecosystems and supporting local agriculture and tourism.

The plant is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, in the Guadalete River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Cádiz Bay. This area supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory birds. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution that could harm the sensitive coastal ecosystems and shellfish beds in the bay.