Purification of water and environmental sustainability: Campotejar and Moreras Lagoons (Murcia, S.E. Spain)

Abstract

At the beginning of the XXI century in the Region of Murcia (SE Spain), modern sewage stations with high-tech water purification methods were built. They replacied outdated sewage treatment plants that used surface impoundment systems. In some cases, these ponds are still used mainly as reservoirs for agricultural use of water that has previously been purified. The aim of this article is to show how some of these sites have become naturalized and a wildlife refuge. Due to the presence of endangered species, they were declared Wetlands of International Importance, and therefore considered as a model of sustainability that reconciles water purification, agricultural use and conservation of biodiversity. All the available information was compiled to perform this article.