Overview
VILA JOIOSA wastewater treatment plant serves la Vila Joiosa in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain, with a population equivalent of 97,508. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations
VILA JOIOSA is a wastewater treatment plant located near la Vila Joiosa (Villajoyosa) in the Comunitat Valenciana region of Spain. The plant serves a population equivalent of 97,508, placing it in the category of a large agglomeration under EU regulations. Its location along the Mediterranean coast underscores the importance of effective wastewater management to protect coastal waters. As a facility serving over 15,000 people, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires at least secondary treatment for such agglomerations. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas, which coastal zones often are. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating its scale of operation. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall. The coastal waters of the Costa Blanca support diverse marine life and are important for tourism and recreation. Proper treatment helps prevent eutrophication and protects bathing water quality, which is crucial for the local economy and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. The coastal waters near la Vila Joiosa are part of the Costa Blanca, supporting seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality for tourism and marine biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located near la Vila Joiosa (Villajoyosa) in the Comunitat Valenciana region of Spain, along the Mediterranean coast.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 97,508, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall, to protect coastal water quality.
As a Spanish plant serving over 15,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and potentially advanced treatment for sensitive coastal areas.
For agglomerations of this size, Spanish plants typically provide secondary biological treatment, and may include nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive coastal waters, as required by the EU directive.
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