Overview
San Javier wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 82,000 people in the Murcia region of Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
San Javier wastewater treatment plant is located in the Murcia region of southeastern Spain, serving a population of approximately 82,132. The plant is situated near the Mar Menor coastal lagoon, a sensitive ecosystem that requires careful wastewater management to prevent nutrient pollution. As a facility serving a medium-to-large agglomeration, San Javier is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. This directive requires secondary treatment for all agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent, and more stringent tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas such as the Mar Menor. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating it is sized to handle the local population's wastewater load. The treated effluent from San Javier ultimately discharges into the Mar Menor, a hypersaline coastal lagoon of high ecological importance. The lagoon supports diverse aquatic life and is a key migratory corridor for birds. Protecting this water body from nutrient overloading is critical for maintaining its ecological balance and supporting local tourism and fisheries.
Environmental context
The San Javier plant discharges into the Mar Menor, a hypersaline coastal lagoon on the Mediterranean Sea. This lagoon is ecologically sensitive, supporting seagrass meadows and diverse marine species. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can cause eutrophication and algal blooms, threatening the lagoon's health. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores the importance of advanced treatment to protect this valuable coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The San Javier wastewater treatment plant is located in the Murcia region of southeastern Spain, near the Mar Menor coastal lagoon.
The plant serves approximately 82,132 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from San Javier discharges into the Mar Menor, a hypersaline coastal lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea.
As a Spanish plant, San Javier operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 PE and tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas like the Mar Menor.
For agglomerations of this size in Spain, secondary treatment is standard, with tertiary treatment often required for discharges into sensitive water bodies to reduce nutrients and protect ecosystems.
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