The long-awaited Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Benasque has begun operations and has become a model of efficiency and sustainability in wastewater treatment for a population equivalent of 9,000 inhabitants. With a calculated water usage of 300 liters per inhabitant per day and an average design flow of 2,700 cubic meters per day, this facility has implemented an improved version of the Intermittent Cycle Extended Aeration System (ICEAS), which is proving to be highly effective in continuous wastewater processing.
A key feature of the Benasque WWTP is its integrated design, which houses all water pretreatment and sludge treatment processes in a specially designed building. The sequential biological reactors are located in a separate building, while the blowers required for aeration of the biological process have their own dedicated space. Furthermore, the control facilities are located in a separate building adjacent to the pretreatment building.
To minimize environmental impact, an air extraction system has been implemented in the sludge pretreatment and treatment building for subsequent deodorization.
Secondary treatment is based on ICEAS sequential batch reactors with four treatment lines, designed to effectively remove organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The use of the Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) system provides several advantages, as it integrates aeration, settling, and control processes into a single treatment tank, all fully automated.
The SBR reduces operational complexity by eliminating the need for primary or secondary settling tanks and sludge return pumps. Furthermore, its intelligent process control system simplifies daily operations, optimizes plant performance, and reduces operating and maintenance costs.
The flexibility of the advanced ICEAS SBR allows for an inlet flow rate up to six times higher than the average daily flow rate, while maintaining high effluent quality standards. Energy efficiency is a priority, with savings of up to 50% thanks to state-of-the-art aeration technologies and blowers.
The SBR’s compact design reduces the plant’s footprint, lowering capital costs and land requirements, thus contributing to its long-term sustainability. The Benasque Wastewater Treatment Plant stands out as a leading example of wastewater treatment, combining efficiency, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
