SAN ASENSIO Wastewater Treatment Plant, San Asensio, La Rioja, Spain

SAN ASENSIO is a wastewater treatment plant located in San Asensio, La Rioja, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 1,800 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated near the Autopista del Ebro, reflecting its role in managing municipal wastewater for this inland community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU directive for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 9,000 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of about 968 cubic meters per day, the facility has ample capacity to handle current loads. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the Ebro River basin, which flows through northern Spain and eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea. The Ebro River is a major watercourse supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities in the region. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality and contributes to the ecological health of the Ebro watershed.

The plant discharges into the Ebro River basin, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Ebro Delta. The Ebro River supports a variety of fish species and provides irrigation water for vineyards in La Rioja. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive areas that benefit from the plant's secondary treatment, which reduces nutrient and organic pollution.