Overview
Alcochete wastewater treatment plant serves 18,000 people in the Setúbal district of Portugal. Located near the Tagus River estuary, it operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards.
The Alcochete wastewater treatment plant is a municipal facility serving the town of Alcochete in the Setúbal district of Portugal. Located at Seca do Bacalhau, the plant provides wastewater treatment for an estimated population of 18,000 residents, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As a Portuguese facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas. The plant's compliance framework is governed by Portuguese environmental authorities. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the Tagus River estuary, a major Atlantic coastal ecosystem. The Tagus estuary is one of Europe's largest wetlands, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical migratory corridor for birds. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean, making nutrient removal and water quality management important for protecting both estuarine and marine environments.
Environmental context
The Alcochete plant discharges into the Tagus River estuary, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. This estuary is a highly productive ecosystem that supports diverse fish, bird, and invertebrate populations. As a transitional water body, it is sensitive to nutrient inputs, and the plant's treatment performance directly affects water quality in this ecologically significant area.
Frequently asked questions
The Alcochete wastewater treatment plant is located at Seca do Bacalhau, Alcochete, in the Setúbal district of Portugal.
The Alcochete WWTP serves approximately 18,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU standards.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Tagus River estuary, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon.
As a Portuguese facility, the Alcochete WWTP operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving 18,000 people (medium agglomeration) are typically required to provide at least secondary treatment, with possible tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas like estuaries.
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