Overview
TRIKALA wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 60,000 people in Trikala, Thessaly, Greece. The facility operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The TRIKALA wastewater treatment plant is located in Rizareio, Trikala, within the municipality of Trikkaion in the Thessaly region of Greece. Serving an estimated population of 60,000, the plant is a key component of the city's municipal wastewater infrastructure, handling domestic sewage from the urban area. As a medium-sized agglomeration in Greece, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater bodies. Greek wastewater facilities are regulated by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, with compliance monitored through national legislation aligned with EU standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Pineios River, the largest river in Thessaly. The Pineios flows eastward into the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, supporting agricultural irrigation and aquatic habitats along its course. The plant plays a vital role in protecting the Pineios River basin from nutrient pollution and safeguarding downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Pineios River basin, which flows through the Thessalian plain and empties into the Thermaic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. The Pineios is a critical water resource for agriculture and supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as the Macedonian trout. Protecting this river from untreated wastewater is essential for maintaining water quality in the downstream marine environment.
Frequently asked questions
The TRIKALA wastewater treatment plant is located in Rizareio, Trikala, in the municipality of Trikkaion, Thessaly region, Greece.
The plant serves approximately 60,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local water network, which drains into the Pineios River and eventually reaches the Thermaic Gulf in the Aegean 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 freshwater.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people generally require secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
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