Valdebebas Wastewater Treatment Plant, Paracuellos de Jarama, Spain

Valdebebas is a wastewater treatment plant located in Paracuellos de Jarama, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. The facility serves a population equivalent of approximately 121,091, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU standards. Its location in the Madrid metropolitan area places it within a densely populated and industrialized region. As a large agglomeration, the plant is expected to comply with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, and tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring effective pollutant removal before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into the Jarama River, a tributary of the Tagus River, which flows westward into Portugal and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Jarama River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting water quality in this river system, which is vital for both local ecosystems and downstream communities.

The Valdebebas plant discharges into the Jarama River, a major tributary of the Tagus River. The Tagus River basin is one of the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, supporting diverse aquatic habitats and providing water for agriculture and urban use. The river flows through the Madrid region and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, which is important for migratory fish species and overall biodiversity.