Overview
IRAKLIO CRETE wastewater treatment plant serves the city of Heraklion, Greece, with a population of 191,500. It is located in the Crete region and discharges treated effluent into the surrounding environment.
IRAKLIO CRETE is a major wastewater treatment plant serving the city of Heraklion (Δημοτική Ενότητα Ηρακλείου) on the island of Crete, Greece. The plant handles wastewater from a population of 191,500, classifying it as a large agglomeration under Greek and EU regulations. Its location near the northern coast of Crete places it within 50 km of the Mediterranean Sea. As a large-scale facility in Greece, IRAKLIO CRETE operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum for agglomerations over 15,000 population equivalent. For plants serving over 150,000 PE in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated. The plant's designed capacity is 1. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea, likely via local watercourses or direct marine outfall. The coastal waters of northern Crete support diverse marine life and are important for tourism and fisheries. Proper treatment is essential to protect these ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens, especially given the region's seasonal population fluctuations due to tourism.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, which is a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient enrichment and pollution. The coastal waters near Heraklion support seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity, and the area is a popular tourist destination. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and protect public health in the region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the city of Heraklion (Δημοτική Ενότητα Ηρακλείου) on the island of Crete, Greece, near the northern coast.
The plant serves a population of 191,500, making it a large agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall or local watercourses, given the plant's proximity to the coast.
As a Greek plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 15,000 PE and may require tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
For large agglomerations in Greece, secondary treatment is standard, with tertiary treatment often required for nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters like the Mediterranean.
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