VIVEROS DE LA VILLA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Madrid, Spain

VIVEROS DE LA VILLA is a major wastewater treatment plant located in Madrid, within the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain. Serving a population of approximately 487,469, it is classified as a large agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the heart of the Spanish capital, an inland city with a Mediterranean continental climate. As a large-scale facility, VIVEROS DE LA VILLA is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum and tertiary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. Its scale implies compliance with stringent European standards for nutrient removal and effluent quality. The treated wastewater from VIVEROS DE LA VILLA is discharged into the Manzanares River, a tributary of the Jarama River, which flows into the Tagus River and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the Tagus River basin, a vital water resource for central Spain and Portugal, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural activities downstream.

VIVEROS DE LA VILLA discharges into the Manzanares River, a tributary of the Jarama River, which joins the Tagus River. The Tagus is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, flowing through Spain and Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive areas such as the Tagus Estuary, a crucial habitat for migratory birds and fish species. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this transboundary river system, supporting biodiversity and human uses.