Overview
Sant Feliu de Llobregat wastewater treatment plant serves nearly 188,000 people in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Catalonia, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, discharging treated effluent into the Llobregat Rive
The Sant Feliu de Llobregat wastewater treatment plant is a major municipal facility located in the Baix Llobregat comarca of Catalonia, Spain. Serving a population of approximately 187,804, it is a key component of the wastewater infrastructure for the Barcelona metropolitan region. The plant is situated near the Llobregat River, which flows through the densely populated and industrialized area. As a large agglomeration (over 150,000 population equivalent), the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires advanced treatment (tertiary) for discharges into sensitive areas. The Llobregat River basin is designated as sensitive under the directive due to its ecological importance and downstream uses. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating substantial treatment capability. The treated wastewater is discharged into the Llobregat River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona. This discharge must meet strict nutrient removal standards to protect the coastal marine environment. The plant plays a critical role in maintaining water quality in the Llobregat basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Llobregat River, which flows through Catalonia to the Mediterranean Sea. The river basin supports a variety of aquatic habitats and is an important water source for the region. Downstream, the Llobregat delta and coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, hosting diverse marine life and serving as a migratory corridor for birds. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading and protect these ecosystems from eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, in the Baix Llobregat comarca of Barcelona province, Catalonia, Spain. Its address is Autovia del Nord-est, Sant Feliu de Llobregat.
The plant serves approximately 187,804 people, making it a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Llobregat River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Barcelona. The plant must meet strict EU standards for nutrient removal to protect the sensitive downstream environment.
As a Spanish plant serving over 150,000 population equivalent, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas like the Llobregat River basin.
For large agglomerations in Spain, the EU UWWTD requires advanced treatment (tertiary) including nutrient removal, especially when discharging into sensitive areas such as the Llobregat River and Mediterranean coastal waters.
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