SELVA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Selva, Balearic Islands, Spain

SELVA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Selva, within the Raiguer region of Illes Balears, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 2,043 people, making it a small agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated inland on the island of Mallorca, more than 10 km from the coast but within 50 km. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 3,000 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 503.72 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal to protect sensitive receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain to the Mediterranean Sea. The Balearic Islands rely on groundwater and coastal ecosystems, making advanced treatment important for protecting both freshwater resources and marine environments. The plant contributes to maintaining water quality in the region's karstic aquifers and coastal waters.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Mediterranean Sea, which surrounds the island of Mallorca. The Balearic Islands feature a Mediterranean climate with seasonal rainfall, and the island's karstic geology makes groundwater particularly vulnerable to contamination. Advanced treatment helps protect downstream coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and marine habitats that support diverse aquatic life.