The Valencian Regional Government has completed a comprehensive renovation of the Orihuela Costa Wastewater Treatment Plant (Estación Depuradora de Aguas Residuales, EDAR), marking a major milestone in improving water management infrastructure in the Vega Baja region. The project, which required an investment of €6.6 million, aims to enhance the efficiency of the sanitation system while strengthening connections with neighbouring municipalities.
Managed and executed by the Public Wastewater Treatment Authority (EPSAR), the upgrade is part of a broader €97 million regional plan dedicated to developing and modernising water infrastructure throughout Vega Baja.
To assess the improvements, Second Vice-President and Minister for the Environment Vicente Martínez Mus visited the facility, accompanied by Orihuela Mayor Pepe Vegara and key technical managers from the Infrastructure Department and EPSAR.
The modernisation has significantly increased the plant’s treatment capacity, which can now handle between 12,000 and 16,000 cubic metres of water per day. Key upgrades include the renovation of essential equipment, the construction of a new laminated tank, and the installation of new connection chambers. Additionally, outdoor facilities were enhanced, including critical interconnections with the sanitation networks of Torrevieja and Pilar de la Horadada, ensuring more resilient and cooperative water management across the region.
Addressing Contamination Concerns
The renovation comes in the wake of recent contamination incidents affecting local beaches. On 23 July 2024, the Orihuela Town Council’s Beaches Department ordered the closure of Cala Mosca and La Glea beaches following detection of waste-related contamination by the Regional Ministry of the Environment and Water. La Glea beach showed signs of wastewater contamination, while Cala Mosca experienced a spill in the dry area, highlighting the ongoing importance of robust wastewater infrastructure to protect public health and coastal tourism.
The upgraded Orihuela Costa Wastewater Treatment Plant represents a significant step toward preventing similar contamination events in the future, reinforcing the region’s commitment to sustainable water management and environmental protection.
