Overview
San Vicente de la Sonsierra wastewater treatment plant serves the town in La Rioja, Spain, with secondary treatment. It discharges treated water into the local environment, supporting the Ebro River basin.
The San Vicente de la Sonsierra wastewater treatment plant is located in the La Rioja region of northern Spain, serving the town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. With a population equivalent of 1,412, this facility is a small-scale municipal plant designed to manage local domestic wastewater. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological process required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The directive mandates secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent, though smaller plants like this one are also expected to meet appropriate treatment standards to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watercourse, which ultimately drains into the Ebro River, one of Spain's major rivers. The Ebro flows eastward into the Mediterranean Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural water use along its course. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this sensitive river basin.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Ebro River, which flows through the La Rioja wine region before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The Ebro basin supports a variety of aquatic life, including fish species such as the Ebro barbel and European eel. Downstream ecosystems rely on adequate treatment to prevent nutrient enrichment and maintain ecological balance in the river and its delta.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Camino de la Central, Barrio de San Juan, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in the La Rioja province of Spain.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 1,412 people, making it a small-scale municipal facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that flows into the Ebro River, which ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), secondary treatment is required for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent. Although this plant serves fewer than 2,000 people, it still provides secondary treatment to protect the receiving water body.
In Spain, small agglomerations like this typically employ secondary biological treatment, often using activated sludge or similar processes, to meet national water quality standards derived from EU directives.
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