ROCA DEL VALLES LA, la Roca del Vallès

Overview

ROCA DEL VALLES LA wastewater treatment plant serves la Roca del Vallès in Catalonia, Spain. It treats wastewater from a population of approximately 26,898 under EU regulatory standards.

ROCA DEL VALLES LA is a wastewater treatment plant located in la Roca del Vallès, within the Vallès Oriental comarca of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The plant serves a population of around 26,898, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU guidelines. It is situated in an industrial area, reflecting the mixed urban and industrial character of the region. As a plant in Spain, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive. The plant is expected to meet these EU standards to protect local water quality. The treated effluent likely discharges into a local watercourse that flows into the Mediterranean Sea, given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km). The region's rivers, such as the Besòs or Tordera, drain into the Mediterranean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding these waters from pollution.

Environmental context

The plant is located in the Besòs river basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona. The downstream environment includes coastal wetlands and marine habitats that support diverse aquatic life. Protecting this watershed is critical for maintaining water quality in the Mediterranean, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange and high ecological sensitivity.

Frequently asked questions

ROCA DEL VALLES LA is located in the Can Font de la Perera industrial estate, la Roca del Vallès, in the Vallès Oriental comarca of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

The plant serves a population of approximately 26,898, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.

The treated effluent likely discharges into a local river within the Besòs basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, supporting coastal and marine ecosystems.

As a plant serving over 10,000 people, it falls under the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, with tertiary treatment required if discharging into sensitive areas.

In Spain, plants of this scale typically provide secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal to meet EU standards, especially in regions like Catalonia with sensitive coastal waters.