Overview
The Thessaloniki Touristic Zone wastewater treatment plant serves the Angelochori area of Thessaloniki, Greece. It treats wastewater from a population equivalent of approximately 70,000 people.
The Thessaloniki Touristic Zone wastewater treatment plant is located in Angelochori, a coastal settlement in the municipality of Thermaikos, within the Central Macedonia region of Greece. The plant serves a population equivalent of 70,122, placing it in the medium-to-large agglomeration category under EU classification. 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. The treated effluent is discharged into the Thermaikos Gulf, part of the Aegean Sea. This coastal environment supports diverse marine life and is an important area for fisheries and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting the gulf's water quality from urban wastewater pollution.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Thermaikos Gulf, a semi-enclosed embayment of the northwestern Aegean Sea. The gulf receives freshwater inputs from several rivers, including the Axios and Gallikos, and supports ecologically sensitive habitats such as seagrass meadows and nursery grounds for fish. The area is also important for migratory birds and marine biodiversity. Proper wastewater treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality for both ecological and recreational uses.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Angelochori, a coastal village in the municipality of Thermaikos, about 20 km southeast of Thessaloniki city center, in the Central Macedonia region of Greece.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 70,122, which classifies it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Thermaikos Gulf, a coastal embayment of the Aegean Sea. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast, and the discharge likely occurs via an outfall into the gulf.
As a Greek facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. For agglomerations of this size, the directive requires secondary treatment, and tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving over 10,000 population equivalent must provide secondary treatment. For coastal discharges like this one, secondary treatment is the standard requirement unless the area is designated as sensitive.
Nearby plants