VALLE DE ABDALAJIS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Valle de Abdalajís, Andalucía

VALLE DE ABDALAJIS is a secondary-level wastewater treatment plant located in Valle de Abdalajís, a municipality in the province of Málaga, Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,000 residents and has a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day, with an average daily discharge volume of 724.99 m³. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, within the Guadalhorce Valley region. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 are required to have secondary treatment, which this plant meets. The directive also mandates appropriate disposal or reuse of treated wastewater to protect the environment. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Guadalhorce River and then into the Mediterranean Sea near Málaga. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Guadalhorce River basin, a vital water resource for agriculture and ecosystems in the region. Its operation helps maintain water quality in downstream environments, supporting both human use and aquatic life.

The plant discharges into the Guadalhorce River basin, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near Málaga. The Guadalhorce River is a major watercourse in Andalucía, supporting irrigated agriculture and diverse aquatic habitats. Downstream, the river's estuary provides important ecological functions, including nutrient cycling and habitat for migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution and nutrient loads, mitigating eutrophication risks in the coastal zone.