Overview
Santa Cruz de La Palma wastewater treatment plant serves the capital of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. It treats wastewater from over 10,000 residents before discharge into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Santa Cruz de La Palma wastewater treatment plant is located in the capital city of La Palma, one of the Canary Islands. It serves a population of approximately 10,318 residents, making it a medium-sized facility within the Spanish wastewater infrastructure. The plant is situated in the coastal area of Roque de Abajo, near the Atlantic Ocean. As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size (10,000-15,000 population equivalent) discharging into coastal waters. The treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, which surrounds the island of La Palma. The coastal waters in this region support diverse marine life, including cetaceans and sea turtles, and are part of the Macaronesian biogeographic region. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to maintain water quality and protect the sensitive marine ecosystem of the Canary Islands.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of La Palma. The coastal waters are part of the Macaronesian region, known for high biodiversity and endemism. The area supports important marine habitats, including seagrass meadows and rocky reefs, which are sensitive to nutrient pollution. Effective wastewater treatment helps preserve water quality and protect the ecological integrity of this oceanic island environment.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Roque de Abajo, Barriada de El Pilar, in the city of Santa Cruz de La Palma, on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain.
The plant serves approximately 10,318 residents, making it a medium-sized facility for the island's capital.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, which surrounds the island of La Palma. The discharge point is located near the coast.
As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for treatment based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations of 10,000 to 15,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment, especially for discharges into coastal waters.
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