Overview
RINCON DE LEON wastewater treatment plant serves Alicante, Spain, with a population equivalent of 498,600. It is located near the Mediterranean coast in the Comunitat Valenciana region.
RINCON DE LEON is a major wastewater treatment plant serving the city of Alicante (Alacant) in the Comunitat Valenciana region of eastern Spain. With a population served of 498,600, it is classified as a large agglomeration under European Union regulations, requiring advanced treatment to protect sensitive coastal waters. As a large-scale facility, RINCON DE LEON operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per day or similar unit), reflecting its role in managing wastewater from a major urban center. Facilities of this scale typically employ biological treatment with nutrient removal to meet stringent discharge standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall or into a coastal water body. The receiving environment includes the Alicante coastline, which supports tourism, fisheries, and marine biodiversity. Proper treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and protect bathing water quality along this popular tourist destination.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near Alicante, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. The coastal waters support seagrass meadows and diverse marine life, requiring advanced treatment to prevent algal blooms and oxygen depletion. The region's tourism-dependent economy relies on high water quality for beaches and recreational activities.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Alicante (Alacant), in the Comunitat Valenciana region of eastern Spain, near the Mediterranean coast.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 498,600, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
Treated wastewater is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall, to protect coastal water quality.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for large agglomerations and tertiary treatment in sensitive coastal areas.
Plants of this scale in Spain typically employ biological treatment with nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet EU standards for sensitive coastal discharges.
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