Santa María de la Alameda Wastewater Treatment Plant, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain

Santa María de la Alameda wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Santa María de la Alameda, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. The plant serves a small population of 208 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or semi-rural setting. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates under Spain's national water regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity of 2000 m³/day indicates the plant is built to handle peak flows, while the current discharge volume of 167.54 m³/day suggests it operates well below capacity. This is typical for small plants in sparsely populated areas. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse, likely a tributary of the Alberche River, which flows into the Tagus River basin. The Tagus River ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The plant's operation helps protect the local aquatic ecosystem and downstream water quality, supporting biodiversity in the region.

The plant discharges into a local stream that feeds into the Alberche River, a tributary of the Tagus River. The Tagus basin is one of the Iberian Peninsula's largest watersheds, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and urban use. Downstream, the Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean, making the plant's secondary treatment important for reducing nutrient and organic loads that could affect estuarine and marine environments.