Overview
Sant Joan de les Abadesses wastewater treatment plant serves the town in Catalunya, Spain. It treats wastewater from a population of approximately 4,000, discharging into the local river system.
The Sant Joan de les Abadesses wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Sant Joan de les Abadesses, in the Ripollès comarca of Girona, Catalunya, Spain. The facility serves a population of around 4,000 residents, typical of a small agglomeration in the Pyrenean foothills. As a Spanish wastewater treatment plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it operates under the national transposition of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For agglomerations of this size, the directive requires appropriate treatment, typically secondary treatment, to protect receiving waters. The plant's discharge is regulated by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA), which oversees compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the Ter River basin, which flows south through Girona and into the Mediterranean Sea at the Costa Brava. The Ter River is a key water resource for the region, supporting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant plays a vital role in maintaining water quality in this sensitive river system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ter River, which flows through the Pyrenees and the Catalan pre-coastal range before reaching the Mediterranean Sea near l'Estartit. The Ter River supports a variety of fish species, including the native Catalan chub and barbel, and its estuary is an important area for migratory birds. Downstream, the river passes through agricultural and urban areas, making nutrient removal critical to prevent eutrophication in the coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Sant Joan de les Abadesses, in the Ripollès comarca of Girona, Catalunya, Spain.
The plant serves approximately 4,000 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations.
Treated effluent is discharged into the Ter River, which flows through Girona and into the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), enforced by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA).
For small agglomerations (under 10,000 PE), the EU directive requires appropriate treatment, usually secondary biological treatment, to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge.
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