VALVERDE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Valverde, Canarias, Spain

The VALVERDE wastewater treatment plant is located in Valverde, on the island of El Hierro in the Canary Islands, Spain. It serves a small population of 352 residents and operates with advanced treatment processes, reflecting the island's commitment to protecting its fragile marine environment. The plant's designed capacity of 3000 m³/day indicates it is sized to accommodate seasonal variations in tourist population. As a Spanish facility, VALVERDE operates under the national transposition of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations like this, the directive requires appropriate treatment before discharge into coastal waters. The advanced treatment level suggests the plant likely incorporates nutrient removal to protect the sensitive marine ecosystem of the Canary Islands. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean near the coast of El Hierro. The island's volcanic terrain and limited freshwater resources make wastewater treatment crucial for protecting coastal water quality and marine biodiversity. The surrounding waters support diverse marine life and are part of the Macaronesian biogeographic region, known for its high endemism.

The VALVERDE plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of El Hierro, the westernmost of the Canary Islands. The island's steep volcanic slopes and limited coastal plains mean that treated effluent enters a marine environment with strong currents and high wave energy. This area supports ecologically significant habitats, including seagrass meadows and rocky reefs that host endemic species. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect the oligotrophic waters characteristic of the Macaronesian region.