REQUENA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Requena, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain

The REQUENA wastewater treatment plant is located in Requena, within the Comunitat Valenciana region of Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 45,365, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 km from the coast, and its treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that eventually reach the Mediterranean Sea. As a plant serving over 10,000 people, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum. For agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent, the directive requires appropriate treatment to meet quality standards, with tertiary treatment needed if discharging into sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with EU standards. The plant's discharge ultimately flows into the Mediterranean Sea via the Júcar River basin or other regional drainage systems. The Comunitat Valenciana region features ecologically important coastal wetlands and marine habitats, making proper wastewater treatment critical for protecting water quality and biodiversity. The plant's inland location reduces direct coastal impact, but its discharge still influences downstream ecosystems.

The REQUENA plant discharges into the Júcar River basin, which flows eastward into the Mediterranean Sea near Cullera. The downstream environment includes the Albufera de Valencia, a coastal lagoon and wetland of high ecological importance that supports diverse bird species and aquatic life. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect these sensitive habitats.