Overview
Palomares wastewater treatment plant serves Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain, handling a population equivalent of 365,883. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates advanced treatment for large agglomerations discharging
Palomares is a wastewater treatment plant located in Sevilla, within the Andalucía region of Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 365,883, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the Guadalquivir River basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. As a large agglomeration, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires more stringent treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. The Guadalquivir basin is designated as a sensitive area due to eutrophication risks, necessitating tertiary treatment for nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The plant's treatment process and capacity details are not publicly available, but the regulatory framework ensures compliance with EU standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the Guadalquivir River, which flows through the Doñana wetlands before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Doñana wetlands are a critical habitat for migratory birds and endangered species, making the plant's performance essential for protecting downstream biodiversity and water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Guadalquivir River, which flows through the Doñana wetlands and into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The Guadalquivir basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive wetlands that rely on good water quality to sustain their ecological functions.
Frequently asked questions
The Palomares plant is located in Sevilla, in the Andalucía region of Spain, at Isla de Garza, 41100.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 365,883, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Guadalquivir River, which flows through the Doñana wetlands and into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a large agglomeration serving over 150,000 people, the plant must comply with the EU UWWTD, which requires tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas like the Guadalquivir basin.
In Spain, large agglomerations typically employ tertiary treatment with nutrient removal to meet EU standards, especially when discharging into sensitive areas prone to eutrophication.
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