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The "Balsa del Sapo" is a protected wetland originating from the upwelling of an aquifer due to the various ground extractions performed in the area and the surplus from the irrigation of the adjacent greenhouses. This small oasis in the of the "mar de plastico" in Almería developed its own peculiar ecosystem with some 165 registered aquatic and terrestrial species, of which 57 nest in the area.
However, its volume has increased progressively in the past years causing serious flooding in nearby greenhouses and developments and the protected wildlife.
The proposal targets the water cycle of the West of Almeria by developing a water treatment plant in the "Balsa del Sapo", guaranteeing the sustainability of the water resource and a stable water table. The approach thus focuses on the reuse of residual waters from the "Balsa del Sapo" for urban or agricultural purposes through treatment using ecological techniques such as phytodepuration or gravel filtration, which both guarantee its use and are environmentally friendly.
This would remove the need to convey the water to the sea, as is currently the case for the aforementioned surplus water, reducing contamination of the area, which is close to a colonie of Posidonia, as well as gaining space at the edge of the wetland with potential for public use.
