A municipal scandal is threatening the environment and public health in the town of Pratdip, Catalonia. At the heart of the issue: the town council’s decision not to take responsibility for managing the only wastewater treatment plant on its territory—located in Planes del Rei.

An abandoned facility, despite being certified

The Planes del Rei wastewater treatment plant is in good working condition. This is confirmed by an official certificate issued on May 2, 2017, by the independent body BSI Management Systems, a specialist in ISO standards. This certification, valid until May 2020, confirms that the facility is compliant and operational.

Nevertheless, Pratdip’s town hall chose not to manage the facility or collaborate with the Catalan Water Agency (ACA). As a result, the plant was shut down, ignoring all public responsibility. This decision directly exposes the environment to massive pollution, with untreated wastewater now flowing into the Barranco ravine—posing a proven risk of contaminating the aquifer that supplies water to L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, Miami Platja, and Mont-roig.

Established facts… willfully ignored

The consequences were immediate: foul odors, a surge in rat infestations across the urbanisation, and most seriously, a major ecological threat. The Llastres river, now receiving sewage discharge from the plant, runs through an aquifer that supplies drinking water to several neighboring towns.

Despite being formally notified by letter, the mayors of L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, Miami Platja, and Mont-roig have made no public statement. And yet, they were officially alerted by the Les Planes del Rei residents’ association (SOS Planas), as well as by councillor Óscar Serrano of the Avança Pratdip party. Two residents have even taken the case to the European Court to denounce the inaction of local and national authorities.

A facility funded by residents, abandoned by the town

The very existence of this wastewater treatment plant is the result of a collective effort. In 1977, the homeowners of Planes del Rei financed its construction entirely on their own—without any support from the state or the local municipality. Motivated by public health and environmental concerns, they equipped the urbanisation with a modern, sustainable system.

In 1993, a court decision officially transferred ownership of the urbanisation’s infrastructure to the Pratdip town hall: roads, street lighting, water and sewage networks, green spaces, and of course, the wastewater treatment plant.

More recently, the courts ordered the dissolution of the EUCC (Urban Planning Collaborative Entity), a structure originally created by the municipality to manage these services. This ruling makes the town fully responsible for maintaining the facilities.

Expert testimony

Juan Oliver, former municipal technical architect of Vandellòs and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, and former resident of Planes del Rei, sounds the alarm in a video interview. He denounces the abandonment of the treatment plant and the irresponsibility of the local authorities in the face of serious environmental and health risks.

Europe has already taken action in similar cases

Spain was already condemned by the European Court of Justice on July 25, 2018, for similar sanitation failings. This precedent shows that Spanish authorities can no longer ignore their legal and environmental obligations.

Urgent need for mobilization

In response to this situation, residents and local associations are not giving up.
Letters have been sent, lawsuits have been filed, and evidence has been gathered. But without widespread public awareness and pressure, the authorities will continue to turn a blind eye.

In the context of today’s global climate crisis and the visibility brought by COP25, it is more urgent than ever to act. Water management, sanitation, and the protection of natural resources are not optional—they are fundamental rights.

Let’s share this information widely. The health of thousands of citizens is at stake.

Association de Vecinos Les Planes del Rei (SOS Planas)

– Visor cartogràfic de l’ACA