UWWTP Kamchiya - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bliznatsi, Bulgaria

UWWTP Kamchiya is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bliznatsi, a village in Avren municipality, Varna Province, Bulgaria. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,023 and is situated near the Black Sea coast, less than 10 km from the shoreline. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 12,500 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 210.62 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. The plant operates under Bulgarian national regulations that transpose EU directives, ensuring compliance with discharge standards for coastal areas. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually reaches the Black Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with sensitive ecological conditions. The coastal zone supports diverse marine life and is important for tourism and fisheries. Proper treatment helps protect the Black Sea from nutrient pollution and eutrophication.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Black Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it vulnerable to nutrient enrichment. The coastal area near Varna supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish spawning grounds and migratory bird habitats. Effective secondary treatment reduces organic load and nutrients, helping to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.