Overview
VILLACARRILLO wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of Villacarrillo in Jaén, Andalucía, Spain. It treats wastewater from approximately 15,755 people under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
VILLACARRILLO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Villacarrillo, a municipality in the province of Jaén, within the autonomous community of Andalucía, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 15,755, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. Its location in the inland region of Andalucía places it away from coastal areas, with the nearest coast over 50 kilometers distant. As a Spanish plant, VILLACARRILLO operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also requires more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures that the plant meets the required standards for effluent quality before discharge. The treated wastewater from VILLACARRILLO is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Guadalquivir River basin, one of Spain's major river systems. The Guadalquivir flows southwest through Andalucía and empties into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The plant plays a key role in protecting the ecological health of the Guadalquivir basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities in the region.
Environmental context
VILLACARRILLO's treated effluent enters local streams that feed into the Guadalquivir River basin, a vital water resource for southern Spain. The Guadalquivir River flows through Andalucía and discharges into the Gulf of Cádiz, supporting important wetlands and estuaries along its course. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this basin, which is essential for irrigation, drinking water supply, and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems, including fish populations and migratory birds.
Frequently asked questions
VILLACARRILLO is located in the municipality of Villacarrillo, in the province of Jaén, Andalucía, Spain. Its address is on the Baeza-Utiel road, with coordinates 38.128 N, -3.096 W.
The plant serves approximately 15,755 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Guadalquivir River basin, eventually flowing into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz.
As a Spanish plant, VILLACARRILLO operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 population equivalent and more stringent treatment in sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving 10,000 to 15,000 people typically require secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be needed to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
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