Bordalo Pinheiro Wastewater Treatment Plant, Samora Correia, Portugal

Bordalo Pinheiro is a wastewater treatment plant located in Samora Correia, a town in the Santarém district of Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,700 people and operates under secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required for smaller agglomerations under Portuguese and EU regulations. As a secondary treatment facility, Bordalo Pinheiro removes organic matter and suspended solids through biological processes. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,289.00 cubic meters per day and currently discharges 283.44 cubic meters of treated wastewater daily. It is situated within 10 km of the Atlantic coast, making its discharge location environmentally sensitive. The treated effluent from Bordalo Pinheiro ultimately flows into the Tagus River basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Tagus estuary is an ecologically important area supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory bird species. The plant's coastal proximity means its discharge must meet stringent quality standards to protect marine and estuarine ecosystems.

Bordalo Pinheiro discharges into the Tagus River basin, which flows into the Tagus estuary and then the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary is a vital habitat for fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds, and its ecological health depends on controlling nutrient and pollutant loads from upstream sources. The plant's coastal location (within 10 km) adds sensitivity to its discharge, as nutrients can contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters.