Overview
Punta Umbría wastewater treatment plant serves the coastal town of Punta Umbría in Andalucía, Spain, with a population equivalent of 54,558. The facility operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Punta Umbría wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Punta Umbría, within the province of Huelva in Andalucía, Spain. Situated near the Observatorio Marismas del Astur, the plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 54,558 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. 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 discharging into coastal waters. The designed capacity is reported as 1.00, though the unit is unspecified; typical plants of this scale have capacities in the range of thousands of cubic meters per day. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean via the nearby coastal environment. The receiving waters include the Marismas del Astur, a wetland area of ecological importance that supports diverse bird species and aquatic life. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal ecosystem and the Gulf of Cádiz from untreated wastewater.
Environmental context
The Punta Umbría plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near the Marismas del Astur, a coastal wetland that forms part of the larger Doñana ecosystem. This area is a vital habitat for migratory birds and supports a rich biodiversity. The treated effluent ultimately reaches the Gulf of Cádiz, a productive marine environment that sustains fisheries and tourism along the Andalusian coast.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Punta Umbría, a coastal town in the province of Huelva, Andalucía, Spain. Its address is near the Observatorio Marismas del Astur, off the Autovía de Huelva a Punta Umbría.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 54,558 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, specifically into the coastal waters near the Marismas del Astur wetland, which ultimately flows into the Gulf of Cádiz.
As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 people discharging into coastal waters.
For agglomerations of this size in coastal areas, the EU directive requires at least secondary treatment. Many plants also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive marine environments.
Nearby plants