Overview
Playa Blanca wastewater treatment plant serves 15,260 people in Yaiza, Canarias, Spain. Located near the coast, it operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC.
Playa Blanca wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Playa Blanca, part of the municipality of Yaiza on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 15,260 residents and visitors, reflecting the scale of a medium-sized agglomeration in a popular tourist destination. 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 designed capacity is 1.00 cubic meters per day, indicating a small-scale facility tailored to the local demand. The plant's treatment processes and operational status are consistent with regional standards for coastal communities. The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, as the plant is located within 50 km of the coast. The surrounding marine environment supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting coastal water quality and the ecological health of the Canary Islands' marine ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near the southern coast of Lanzarote. The receiving waters are part of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem, which supports rich biodiversity including sea turtles, cetaceans, and endemic fish species. Protecting this coastal environment from nutrient pollution is critical for maintaining water quality and the region's tourism-dependent economy.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Playa Blanca, a coastal town in the municipality of Yaiza on the island of Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.
The plant serves approximately 15,260 people, including residents and seasonal tourists, typical of a medium-sized agglomeration in a tourist region.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, as the plant is located within 50 km of the coast. The discharge is regulated under Spanish and EU environmental standards.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with additional requirements for sensitive coastal areas.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 10,000-150,000 people (medium agglomerations) are required to provide secondary treatment. In coastal tourist areas like the Canary Islands, tertiary treatment may be applied to protect marine water quality.
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