Overview
SANT ELM is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Sant Elm, Illes Balears, Spain, serving 740 people with a discharge volume of 146.11 units and a designed capacity of 5883.00 units.
SANT ELM wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal town of Sant Elm, part of the Andratx municipality in the Serra de Tramuntana region of Illes Balears, Spain. The plant serves a small population of 740 residents, reflecting its role in a compact Mediterranean community. As a secondary treatment facility, SANT ELM meets the standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 5883.00 units and a reported discharge volume of 146.11 units, indicating it operates well below its capacity. Spanish regulations, aligned with EU directives, ensure that such plants manage wastewater effectively to protect coastal and marine environments. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its treated effluent likely discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, either directly or via a short outfall. The surrounding waters support diverse marine life and are part of the Balearic Sea ecosystem, which is important for tourism and local fisheries. The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape, influences local hydrology and water resources.
Environmental context
SANT ELM discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea near the coast of Sant Elm. The Balearic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient inputs. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and suspended solids, protecting local marine habitats such as seagrass meadows and rocky reefs that support diverse aquatic life. The surrounding area is also part of the Serra de Tramuntana, which features steep terrain and seasonal streams that drain into the sea.
Frequently asked questions
SANT ELM is located in Sant Elm, a coastal town in the municipality of Andratx, on the island of Mallorca in the Illes Balears region of Spain.
The plant serves a population of 740 people, typical of a small coastal community in the Balearic Islands.
Given its location within 10 km of the coast, SANT ELM likely discharges treated effluent into the Mediterranean Sea, either directly or through a marine outfall.
SANT ELM provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size.
As a Spanish plant, SANT ELM operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for coastal discharges and sets standards for effluent quality to protect marine environments.
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