ZURGENA Wastewater Treatment Plant, La Alfoquia, Andalucía, Spain

ZURGENA is a wastewater treatment plant located in La Alfoquia, within the municipality of Zurgena in the Valle del Almanzora, Almería, Andalucía, Spain. It serves a population of 2,429 and has a designed capacity of 2,325 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 440.25 cubic meters per day. The plant is currently closed. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 10,000. This directive mandates secondary treatment for all inland discharges from such communities to protect water quality. The treated effluent from the plant discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the Almanzora River basin. The Almanzora River flows through the arid region of Almería and eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea. The plant's operation is crucial for protecting the river's ecological health and downstream coastal waters.

The plant discharges into the Almanzora River basin, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea near the coast of Almería. The region is characterized by a semi-arid climate, making water resources scarce and sensitive to pollution. The river supports local agriculture and biodiversity, and its health is vital for the ecological balance of the coastal marine environment.