Overview
Bucelas wastewater treatment plant serves 7,500 people in Loures, Portugal. Located along the Trancão River, it operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC.
The Bucelas wastewater treatment plant is located in Loures, Lisbon District, Portugal, serving a population of approximately 7,500. Situated along the Trancão River, the plant is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the Bucelas area. As a small agglomeration under EU regulations, the plant is subject to the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into freshwater bodies. The directive mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, ensuring compliance with European environmental standards. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Trancão River, which flows into the Tagus River estuary near Lisbon. The Tagus estuary is a vital ecological zone supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory bird populations. Proper treatment at Bucelas helps protect this downstream environment from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Environmental context
The Bucelas plant discharges into the Trancão River, a tributary of the Tagus River. The Tagus flows into the Tagus Estuary, one of Europe's largest wetlands, which supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds. The estuary is ecologically sensitive, requiring effective wastewater treatment to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The Bucelas wastewater treatment plant is located in Loures, Lisbon District, Portugal, along the Trancão River.
The Bucelas WWTP serves approximately 7,500 people in the Bucelas area of Loures.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Trancão River, which flows into the Tagus River estuary near Lisbon.
As a Portuguese plant, Bucelas operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalents typically require secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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