Overview
Beja_Guadiana Fontainhas is a wastewater treatment plant serving 17,000 people in Beja, Portugal. It operates under Portugal's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Beja_Guadiana Fontainhas is a wastewater treatment plant located in Beja, Portugal, serving a population of approximately 17,000. The plant is situated in the Alentejo region, an inland area characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for inland discharges. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, such as those prone to eutrophication. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Guadiana River basin. The Guadiana River flows southward, forming part of the border between Portugal and Spain, before emptying into the Gulf of Cadiz in the Atlantic Ocean. The river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Guadiana River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cadiz. The Guadiana River supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The Alentejo region's agricultural activities can contribute nutrient loads, making proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Beja, in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, at coordinates 38.006 N, -7.828 W.
The plant serves approximately 17,000 people in the Beja area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Guadiana River basin and ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese plant serving over 15,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and potentially tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU directive, plants serving agglomerations of this size must provide at least secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be required to protect water quality.
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