Villarrubia de los Ojos Wastewater Treatment Plant, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

The Villarrubia de los Ojos wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Villarrubia de los Ojos, in the province of Ciudad Real, within the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The plant serves a population of approximately 19,600 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Spanish wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 10,000 and 150,000. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate treatment standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Guadiana River basin, which flows through the La Mancha region and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz. The Guadiana River is a major watercourse in the Iberian Peninsula, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities. The plant plays a key role in protecting the river's water quality and the downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, a vital waterway in central Spain that flows through the La Mancha region and empties into the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The Guadiana supports a variety of aquatic species and is important for irrigation and local biodiversity. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, which is subject to seasonal fluctuations and agricultural pressures.