Overview
THIRA FIRA wastewater treatment plant serves the municipal area of Thira (Fira) on Santorini, Greece, with a designed capacity of 1.00 and a population served of 7,500. It operates within the Aegean decentralized administration region.
THIRA FIRA is a wastewater treatment plant located in the municipal unit of Thira on the island of Santorini, Greece. Serving a population of approximately 7,500, the plant is part of the decentralized administration of the Aegean. The facility is situated in the coastal area of Exo Gialos, near the settlement of Vourvoulos. As a Greek plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for populations between 2,000 and 10,000 in sensitive areas. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the surrounding marine environment of the Aegean Sea. Santorini is a volcanic island with a fragile ecosystem, and the treatment plant plays a key role in protecting coastal waters and supporting tourism. The receiving waters ultimately flow into the broader Mediterranean Sea.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the coastal waters of the Aegean Sea near Santorini, a volcanic island with a sensitive marine ecosystem. The area supports diverse aquatic life and is a popular tourist destination, making proper wastewater treatment critical for preventing nutrient pollution and protecting water quality. The outflow eventually reaches the Mediterranean Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with limited water exchange, where nutrient inputs can contribute to eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
THIRA FIRA is located in the municipal unit of Thira on the island of Santorini, Greece, specifically in the area of Exo Gialos near Vourvoulos.
The plant serves a population of approximately 7,500 people in the Thira area, including the town of Fira and surrounding settlements.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the coastal waters of the Aegean Sea, which surrounds Santorini. The outflow ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea.
As a Greek plant serving a population between 2,000 and 10,000, THIRA FIRA is classified as a medium agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for such facilities, especially in sensitive coastal areas like the Aegean.
For plants of this scale in Greece, secondary treatment is standard, often involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and nutrients. Given the coastal location, tertiary treatment may be required to protect sensitive marine ecosystems.
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