Palau Saverdera Wastewater Treatment Plant - Alt Empordà, Catalonia

Palau Saverdera wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Palau-saverdera, in the Alt Empordà region of Catalonia, Spain. The facility serves a population of 1,806 and operates with secondary treatment, a standard level for small agglomerations under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant's designed capacity is 5,000 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 637.86 m³/day. As a secondary treatment plant, Palau Saverdera provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 are required to have secondary treatment. With a population served of 1,806, the plant meets the directive's standards for its scale. The facility is situated near the coast, which influences its discharge requirements. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The Alt Empordà region is known for its coastal wetlands and the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà natural park, an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse bird species and aquatic life. Proper treatment is essential to protect these downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.

The plant's treated effluent flows into the local drainage system, which feeds into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Roses. This coastal area includes the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, a wetland complex that serves as a critical habitat for migratory birds and supports a rich biodiversity. The region's tourism and agriculture depend on clean coastal waters, making effective wastewater treatment vital for preserving water quality and ecological balance.