Tabernas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Andalucía, Spain

The Tabernas wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Tabernas, in the province of Almería, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 4,100 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from the immediate coast, and its operations are part of the regional water infrastructure managed by the Andalusian authorities. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size discharging into freshwater or estuaries. The designed capacity of 4,100 m³/day matches the population served, indicating a balanced infrastructure. The actual discharge volume of 743.11 m³/day suggests a utilization rate well below capacity, which may reflect seasonal or demographic variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Andalusian river systems. The region is semi-arid, making water reuse and quality management critical for sustaining local agriculture and ecosystems. The plant's operation supports the protection of downstream water bodies and contributes to the overall environmental health of the Almería region.

The Tabernas plant discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the Andalusian Mediterranean basin. The receiving water body is likely a seasonal stream or river that flows towards the Mediterranean Sea. The region is characterized by a semi-arid climate and is home to the Tabernas Desert, a unique ecosystem with specialized flora and fauna. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality, supporting agricultural irrigation and natural habitats in a water-scarce environment.