Villanueva del Fresno, Badajoz

Overview

Villanueva del Fresno wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 7,100 people in Extremadura, Spain. The facility operates under Spain's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

The Villanueva del Fresno wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Villanueva del Fresno, in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. It serves a population of approximately 7,100 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Spanish wastewater facility, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates appropriate collection systems and discharge standards to protect receiving waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Guadiana River basin. The Guadiana River flows southwest through Extremadura and forms part of the border with Portugal before emptying into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The region's aquatic ecosystems rely on well-managed wastewater treatment to maintain water quality and support biodiversity.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, one of the major Iberian rivers. The Guadiana flows through Extremadura and into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz. The river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for agriculture and ecosystems in the region. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream habitats.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located in Villanueva del Fresno, a municipality in the province of Badajoz, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain.

The plant serves approximately 7,100 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU definitions.

The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Guadiana River basin. The Guadiana River ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz.

As a Spanish facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which sets standards for collection, treatment, and discharge of urban wastewater.

Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations of this size (under 10,000 population equivalent) are generally required to have secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.