SAGUNT Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sagunt/Sagunto, Comunitat Valenciana, Spain

The SAGUNT wastewater treatment plant is a municipal facility serving the city of Sagunt/Sagunto in the Comunitat Valenciana region of eastern Spain. With a population equivalent of 121,203, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Mediterranean coast, within 50 km of the shoreline, and plays a key role in protecting coastal water quality. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), large agglomerations like Sagunt are required to provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with tertiary treatment mandated if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating a substantial infrastructure to handle the region's wastewater load. The treated effluent from SAGUNT is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea via local watercourses, contributing to the ecological health of the coastal zone. The region's watershed includes the Palancia River and other smaller streams that drain into the Gulf of Valencia. Protecting these waters is critical for marine biodiversity, tourism, and fisheries along the Costa del Azahar.

The SAGUNT plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea via the local drainage network, which includes the Palancia River and other coastal streams. The receiving waters are part of the Gulf of Valencia, a semi-enclosed basin that supports diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the Albufera de Valencia Natural Park, a coastal lagoon of high conservation value. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the region's tourism-dependent economy.