Overview
EPC Rio Vermelho is a major wastewater treatment plant serving over 2 million people in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. It operates under Brazil's national water quality regulations, discharging treated effluent into the Atlantic Ocean.
EPC Rio Vermelho is a large-scale wastewater treatment plant located in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Serving a population of over 2 million, it is one of the key facilities in the metropolitan region's sanitation infrastructure. The plant is situated in a coastal urban area, reflecting the high demand for wastewater management in this densely populated city. The plant operates under Brazil's national environmental regulations, including CONAMA resolutions and the National Water Resources Policy. For a facility of this scale serving over 200,000 people, advanced treatment is typically required to protect receiving waters. The plant's designed capacity is reported as 1.00, though the unit is unspecified, indicating it is a major infrastructure asset. The treated effluent from EPC Rio Vermelho is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal waters of Salvador. This discharge point is in the Todos os Santos Bay region, a large estuarine system that supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries. The plant plays a critical role in reducing pollution loads to the ocean, helping to maintain water quality for recreation and ecosystem health.
Environmental context
EPC Rio Vermelho discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near Salvador, within the Todos os Santos Bay watershed. This bay is a large, semi-enclosed coastal system that supports mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, providing habitat for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds. The plant's effluent contributes to the nutrient and pollutant load in the bay, making effective treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and protect biodiversity. The region's tropical climate and urban runoff further stress the marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
EPC Rio Vermelho is located in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, in the northeastern region of the country.
EPC Rio Vermelho serves a population of approximately 2,039,154 people, making it a large-scale treatment facility for the Salvador metropolitan area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Atlantic Ocean near Salvador, within the Todos os Santos Bay region, a coastal estuarine system.
EPC Rio Vermelho operates under Brazil's national environmental regulations, including CONAMA resolutions and the National Water Resources Policy, which set discharge standards for wastewater treatment plants.
For large agglomerations over 200,000 people, Brazilian regulations typically require at least secondary treatment, and often advanced treatment, to protect sensitive coastal waters like those in Salvador.
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