SUR Wastewater Treatment Plant, Getafe, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain

SUR is a major wastewater treatment plant located in Getafe, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. It serves a population equivalent of 1,085,405, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local water system. As a large-scale facility, SUR is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), with potential tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. Its scale implies robust infrastructure to manage high-volume wastewater from the Madrid metropolitan region. The plant's discharge ultimately flows into the Manzanares River, a tributary of the Jarama River, which joins the Tagus River (Tajo) before reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Tagus basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical water resource for central Spain and Portugal. Proper treatment at SUR helps protect downstream ecosystems and water quality.

SUR discharges into the Manzanares River, which flows into the Jarama River, a major tributary of the Tagus River (Tajo). The Tagus basin is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish species and migratory birds. The river ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon, making effective treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream habitats.