PORTO DO SON Wastewater Treatment Plant, O Porto do Son, Galicia, Spain

PORTO DO SON is a wastewater treatment plant located in O Porto do Son, a coastal town in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 6,685 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under European Union standards. As part of Spain's wastewater infrastructure, it operates within the framework of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters. Under the EU directive, plants serving populations between 2,000 and 10,000 in coastal areas are typically expected to provide secondary treatment to reduce organic pollution and protect marine environments. The plant's location near the Atlantic coast means it likely discharges treated effluent into the Ría de Muros e Noia, a coastal inlet that supports diverse marine life and local fisheries. The receiving water body is the Ría de Muros e Noia, part of the Atlantic Ocean drainage basin. This estuary is ecologically significant, providing habitat for fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The plant's operation is crucial for maintaining water quality in this sensitive coastal ecosystem, which supports tourism and fishing industries in the region.

The plant discharges into the Ría de Muros e Noia, a coastal inlet in Galicia that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary supports diverse aquatic life, including commercially important shellfish and fish species, and serves as a migratory corridor for birds. Protecting water quality in this area is essential for maintaining the ecological balance and the local economy dependent on fishing and tourism.