Ameal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Coimbra, Portugal

The Ameal wastewater treatment plant is located in Vila Pouca do Campo, within the parish of Taveiro, Ameal e Arzila, near Coimbra, Portugal. It serves a population of approximately 2,300 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Portuguese and EU regulations. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 4,000 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 383.48 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mondego River basin. The Mondego River flows westward through central Portugal, passing through Coimbra and discharging into the Atlantic Ocean near Figueira da Foz. This river supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and water supply.

The plant discharges into the Mondego River basin, which flows through Coimbra and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Mondego is the longest river entirely within Portugal, supporting diverse freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. Downstream areas include wetlands and coastal habitats that are ecologically sensitive, providing nursery grounds for fish and migratory bird corridors. Advanced treatment helps protect these environments from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.