VILAFRANCA DEL PENEDES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vilafranca del Penedès, Catalunya

VILAFRANCA DEL PENEDES is a wastewater treatment plant located in Vilafranca del Penedès, in the Alt Penedès region of Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 62,190 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Spanish and EU regulations. As a plant in the European Union, VILAFRANCA DEL PENEDES operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 m³/s, indicating its ability to handle significant wastewater flows. Compliance with EU standards ensures appropriate treatment before discharge. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The receiving water body is likely a river or stream in the Penedès region, contributing to the hydrological network that supports local agriculture and ecosystems. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting downstream water quality and the marine environment.

The plant discharges into the local watershed of the Penedès region, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Foix River or other coastal streams. This area supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture, particularly vineyards. The Mediterranean Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with sensitive marine ecosystems, making effective wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect coastal biodiversity.