PUERTO NAOS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tazacorte, La Palma, Canary Islands

PUERTO NAOS is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in La Bombilla, Tazacorte, on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,798 residents and has a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 325.88 m³/day. As an advanced treatment facility, PUERTO NAOS provides a higher level of treatment beyond secondary, which is typical for sensitive coastal areas. The plant operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into sensitive areas and coastal waters. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the western shore of La Palma. The island's steep terrain and volcanic geology mean that local watersheds are short and fast-flowing, with streams draining directly to the sea. The coastal environment supports diverse marine life, including cetaceans and sea turtles, making proper wastewater treatment essential for ecosystem health.

The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of La Palma, part of the Canary Islands. The local watershed consists of small, steep streams that drain the volcanic terrain. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, supporting a variety of marine species including dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. The advanced treatment helps protect these waters from nutrient pollution and pathogens.