PLASENCIA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Plasencia, Extremadura, Spain

PLASENCIA wastewater treatment plant is located in Plasencia, in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. The facility serves a population equivalent of 46,800, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the coast, and its operations are part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the city. As a Spanish wastewater treatment plant serving a population between 10,000 and 100,000, PLASENCIA is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. This directive requires secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations of this size, with more stringent tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures a minimum level of treatment. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Tagus River basin. The Tagus River flows westward through Spain and Portugal, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the Iberian Peninsula.

PLASENCIA's treated effluent enters the local watercourse, which is part of the Tagus River basin. The Tagus River is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, flowing through central Spain and Portugal before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The river supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The surrounding region of Extremadura is known for its Mediterranean climate and agricultural activity, which can influence water quality through runoff.