Overview
Afonseiro wastewater treatment plant serves Montijo, Portugal, with a population equivalent of 42,350. The plant is located near the Tagus River estuary and operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive requirements.
Afonseiro is a wastewater treatment plant located in the parish of Sarilhos Grandes, near Montijo in the Setúbal district of Portugal. It serves a population equivalent of 42,350, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the Tagus River basin, close to the estuary, which is a critical ecological area. As a Portuguese facility, Afonseiro operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into estuarine waters. The directive also requires more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The treated effluent from Afonseiro ultimately discharges into the Tagus River estuary, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The estuary supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species and important bird populations. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores the need for effective treatment to protect both estuarine and marine environments.
Environmental context
Afonseiro discharges into the Tagus River estuary, a major coastal wetland that drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life including fish nurseries and migratory birds. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) means that treated effluent can influence marine water quality, particularly in the adjacent Atlantic coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
Afonseiro is located in the parish of Sarilhos Grandes, near Montijo in the Setúbal district of Portugal, approximately 30 km east of Lisbon.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 42,350, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from Afonseiro is discharged into the Tagus River estuary, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon.
As a Portuguese plant, Afonseiro operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations over 15,000 PE discharging into estuarine waters.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving 42,000 PE in estuarine areas typically require secondary treatment, and advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive.
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