PENON DEL CUERVO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rincón de la Victoria, Andalucía

PENON DEL CUERVO is a wastewater treatment plant located in La Cala del Moral, Rincón de la Victoria, in the province of Málaga, Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a population equivalent of 258,375, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. As a large agglomeration in a coastal area, the plant is expected to meet stringent treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment as a minimum, and for discharges into sensitive areas such as the Mediterranean coast, tertiary treatment may be necessary to protect marine ecosystems. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, either directly or via a short outfall. The coastal waters of the Costa del Sol are ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life and important for tourism. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect bathing water quality.

The plant is situated within 50 km of the Mediterranean coast, and its treated effluent likely reaches the Alboran Sea, a part of the western Mediterranean. This coastal area supports seagrass meadows and is a migratory corridor for marine species. Nutrient removal is critical to avoid algal blooms and maintain water quality for recreational use.