Regional initiative in Castilla y León: aiming to clean and treat all wastewater within a six-year timeframe

In a significant stride towards sustainable development, the regional government of Castilla y León is investing over 275 million euros to construct more than 1,400 wastewater treatment plants. This ambitious project aims to treat all wastewater within six years, making it one of the few European Union autonomous communities to achieve this feat.

The project, dubbed the second line of action, involves 217 wastewater treatment plants with a total investment of 140 million euros. Sixty-six of these plants have already received approval, with twenty-seven pending municipal approval, and thirty in the drafting phase. A total of 124 plants are currently under construction, and twenty-two are already in operation.

The second line of action is structured into two programs. The first is for municipalities with fewer than 500 inhabitants, and the second is for those with between 500 and 2,000 inhabitants. The wastewater treatment plant in Penaranda de Duero, Burgos, is an example of the latter. This fully automated plant, designed for a population equivalent of 1,491 inhabitants, requires an investment of over 25 million euros for its construction.

The plant in Penaranda de Duero, operated by Somacyl for the next 25 years, boasts an average daily flow of almost 450 cubic meters. To minimise electricity consumption, solar panels have been installed. Remotely manageable, this plant plays a crucial role in preventing environmental pollution, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable development.

Public awareness and the use of innovative technologies are essential for optimising wastewater management processes and reducing the negative impacts associated with water pollution. The environmental minister responsible for the complete wastewater treatment program in the regional government of Castilla y León is Carlos Suárez-Quiñones. He emphasises the importance of these initiatives in ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.

Regional initiative in Castilla y León: aiming to clean and treat all wastewater within a six-year timeframe