Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz

Overview

Sanlúcar de Barrameda wastewater treatment plant serves 68,000 people in Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain. Located near the Guadalquivir River estuary, it operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards.

The Sanlúcar de Barrameda wastewater treatment plant is a municipal facility serving the city of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in the province of Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain. With a population equivalent of 68,000, it is classified as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Costa Noroeste region, close to the Guadalquivir River estuary, a critical ecological zone. As a Spanish wastewater facility, the plant is subject to 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 discharge enters sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1. The treated effluent likely discharges into the Guadalquivir River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The plant's operation helps protect the downstream environment, including the Doñana wetlands, a region of high ecological value.

Environmental context

The plant is located within 50 km of the coast, near the Guadalquivir River estuary. The Guadalquivir River flows into the Gulf of Cádiz, part of the Atlantic Ocean. This estuary is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic species and serving as a critical stopover for migratory birds. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall water quality in this important coastal ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, in the province of Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain. Its address is Plaza Paco Madame, Jardines del Picacho, Barriada Andalucia, in the Costa Noroeste region.

The treated effluent is discharged into the Guadalquivir River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Cádiz in the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's discharge is regulated under Spanish and EU environmental laws.

The plant helps protect the Guadalquivir River and its estuary, which is a vital ecological area supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. The estuary flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

As a medium agglomeration serving 68,000 people, the plant is required to meet secondary treatment standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.

In Spain, plants serving agglomerations of this size typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EU directive standards. Some plants also include nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas.