Overview
Kato Achaia wastewater treatment plant serves the Dimos Dytikis Achaias municipality in western Greece, treating wastewater for approximately 8,600 residents. The plant discharges into the Gulf of Patras, part of the Ionian Sea.
The Kato Achaia wastewater treatment plant is located in the Dimotiki Enotita Dymis, within the municipality of Dytiki Achaia in the region of Western Greece. It serves a population of around 8,600 people, making it a small to medium-sized agglomeration under Greek and EU classification. The plant is situated near the coast of the Gulf of Patras, an important marine environment in the Ionian Sea. As a Greek facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating it is sized appropriately for the population served. The treated effluent from Kato Achaia is discharged into the Gulf of Patras, which connects to the Ionian Sea and ultimately the Mediterranean Sea. This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and fisheries that are ecologically and economically significant in the region. The plant plays a key role in preventing untreated wastewater from entering these sensitive coastal waters.
Environmental context
The Kato Achaia plant discharges into the Gulf of Patras, a semi-enclosed embayment of the Ionian Sea. The gulf supports diverse marine life, including important fish nursery habitats and migratory bird routes along the Greek coast. The receiving waters are part of the broader Mediterranean ecosystem, which is subject to EU directives for nutrient reduction and marine protection. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality for tourism and local fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the Dimotiki Enotita Dymis, within the municipality of Dytiki Achaia in the region of Western Greece, near the coast of the Gulf of Patras.
The plant serves approximately 8,600 residents, classifying it as a small to medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Gulf of Patras, which flows into the Ionian Sea and then the Mediterranean Sea. The discharge point is within 50 km of the coast.
As a Greek facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 2,000 people discharging into coastal waters.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 8,600 people are required to have at least secondary treatment. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be needed to reduce nutrients.
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