Overview
KARTERADOS wastewater treatment plant serves the community of Karterados on the island of Thira (Santorini), Greece. It is designed for a capacity of 1.00 volume unit and serves a population of 3,087.
KARTERADOS is a wastewater treatment plant located in the coastal settlement of Karterados, within the municipality of Thira on the island of Santorini, Greece. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,087 residents and is part of the decentralized wastewater infrastructure of the South Aegean region. As a small agglomeration in Greece, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into sensitive areas. The Aegean Sea is designated as a sensitive area under Greek legislation, necessitating at least secondary treatment with nutrient removal for plants serving over 2,000 population equivalent. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Aegean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited tidal exchange. The surrounding marine environment supports diverse ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and coralligenous habitats, which are sensitive to nutrient enrichment and require careful management of wastewater discharges.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Aegean Sea near the island of Santorini, a volcanic island in the Cyclades group. The coastal waters are part of the South Aegean Sea, which ultimately connects to the Mediterranean Sea. The area is ecologically sensitive, supporting marine biodiversity including Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and coralligenous reefs, which are vulnerable to eutrophication from nutrient inputs.
Frequently asked questions
KARTERADOS is located in the settlement of Karterados, on the island of Thira (Santorini), in the South Aegean region of Greece. The plant is situated near the coast, serving the local community.
The plant serves a population of approximately 3,087 residents, making it a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent from KARTERADOS is discharged into the coastal waters of the Aegean Sea. As a coastal plant, it must meet stringent treatment standards to protect the marine environment.
KARTERADOS operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into sensitive areas like the Aegean Sea. Greek national legislation implements these standards.
For small agglomerations (2,000-10,000 population equivalent) in sensitive areas, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary treatment with nutrient removal. Greek plants often use activated sludge or biological filtration systems to meet these requirements.
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