Overview
The NAXOS wastewater treatment plant serves the community of Agios Prokopios on Naxos Island, Greece, with a population equivalent of 20,000. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for coast
The NAXOS wastewater treatment plant is located in Agios Prokopios, a coastal settlement on the island of Naxos in the South Aegean region of Greece. The plant serves a population equivalent of 20,000, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. As a coastal facility, it plays a critical role in protecting the marine environment of the Aegean Sea. As an EU member state, Greece implements the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters from agglomerations of this size. The regulatory framework ensures that effluent quality meets standards for biological oxygen demand and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the Aegean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. The plant's operation helps preserve water quality for tourism, fisheries, and marine biodiversity in the Cyclades island group. Proper treatment reduces the risk of eutrophication and protects coastal ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Aegean Sea, which receives drainage from the Cyclades islands and ultimately connects to the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal waters around Naxos support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish spawning grounds. Nutrient inputs from untreated wastewater could lead to algal blooms and degrade water quality, making advanced treatment essential for maintaining ecological balance in this oligotrophic marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The NAXOS wastewater treatment plant is located in Agios Prokopios, a coastal village on the island of Naxos in the South Aegean region of Greece.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 20,000, which includes residents and seasonal tourists during the peak summer months.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Aegean Sea. As a coastal plant, it must meet stringent EU standards for marine discharge to protect water quality and marine ecosystems.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of 10,000-150,000 PE discharging into coastal waters. Greece enforces this through national legislation.
For coastal plants of this scale, secondary treatment is mandatory under EU law. This typically involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, often with nutrient removal in sensitive areas like the Aegean Sea.
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