Overview
Torre Pacheco wastewater treatment plant serves 24,152 people in the Región de Murcia, Spain. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Torre Pacheco wastewater treatment plant is located in the Campo de Cartagena y Mar Menor region of Murcia, Spain. It serves a population of 24,152, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the coastal area of the Mar Menor, a large saltwater lagoon. As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent discharging into sensitive areas. The Mar Menor is designated as a sensitive area due to its ecological importance, necessitating more stringent treatment standards. The treated effluent from the plant ultimately discharges into the Mar Menor lagoon, which is connected to the Mediterranean Sea. The Mar Menor is a unique coastal ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Proper wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect this ecologically sensitive environment.
Environmental context
The Torre Pacheco plant discharges into the Mar Menor, a hypersaline coastal lagoon in southeastern Spain. The lagoon is connected to the Mediterranean Sea through channels and is a vital habitat for migratory birds and marine species. Nutrient inputs from wastewater can lead to eutrophication, threatening the lagoon's ecological balance. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores its role in protecting this sensitive coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The Torre Pacheco wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Torre Pacheco, in the Región de Murcia, southeastern Spain. It serves the Campo de Cartagena y Mar Menor area.
The plant serves a population of 24,152 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The treated wastewater from the Torre Pacheco plant is discharged into the Mar Menor, a coastal lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent directly influences this sensitive marine ecosystem.
As a Spanish facility, the Torre Pacheco plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). This directive requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 10,000 population equivalent, with more stringent tertiary treatment in sensitive areas like the Mar Menor.
For medium agglomerations of this size in Spain, the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive mandates at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas such as the Mar Menor, tertiary treatment (nutrient removal) is typically required to prevent eutrophication and protect the coastal environment.
Nearby plants