Overview
Amares_Ferreiras is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Braga, Portugal, serving 4,000 people. It discharges 666.92 cubic meters of treated effluent daily.
Amares_Ferreiras is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Braga district of northern Portugal, serving a population of approximately 4,000. The plant is situated in the rural parish of Crespos e Pousada, within the broader municipality of Braga, a historic city known for its religious architecture and proximity to the Peneda-Gerês National Park. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological oxidation and sedimentation, reducing organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 4,230 cubic meters per day, with current discharge volumes averaging 666.92 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually flow into the Cávado River basin, one of the major river systems in northern Portugal. The Cávado River drains into the Atlantic Ocean near the city of Esposende, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and recreation. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Cávado River basin, which flows westward through the Minho region and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Cávado River supports a variety of fish species, including migratory trout and lamprey, and its estuary is an important habitat for waterbirds. The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural land and small settlements, making the plant's nutrient removal role critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
Amares_Ferreiras is located in the parish of Crespos e Pousada, in the municipality of Braga, northern Portugal. The address is Rua de Areias, Couço, Crespos e Pousada, Braga, 4710-613.
The plant serves approximately 4,000 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow into the Cávado River basin, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The plant provides secondary treatment before discharge.
As a Portuguese plant serving 4,000 people, Amares_Ferreiras operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. Compliance is enforced by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
For small agglomerations (2,000-10,000 population equivalent) in Portugal, secondary treatment is standard. This typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by sedimentation, to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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