Santa Coloma de Queralt Wastewater Treatment Plant | Secondary Treatment in Catalonia

The Santa Coloma de Queralt wastewater treatment plant is located in the Conca de Barberà region of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain. It serves a population of 2,168 and operates with a designed capacity of 4,667 m³/day, currently discharging 929.13 m³/day of treated wastewater. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The directive mandates secondary treatment for populations between 2,000 and 10,000 in inland areas, ensuring organic matter and suspended solids are effectively removed before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's water quality, supporting aquatic life in the surrounding rivers and contributing to the ecological health of the downstream coastal environment.

The plant discharges into a local stream within the Ebro River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The region's aquatic ecosystems support diverse species, including fish and macroinvertebrates, and the treatment plant helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive area. Proper wastewater management is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect downstream habitats.