Overview
Caldas da Rainha wastewater treatment plant serves 36,000 people in Portugal. Located near the Atlantic coast, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Caldas da Rainha wastewater treatment plant is a municipal facility serving approximately 36,000 people in the Leiria District of Portugal. The plant is situated near the Atlantic coast, about 10 km inland, and plays a key role in protecting local water quality. As a medium-sized agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), the plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment. The directive requires such agglomerations to meet effluent standards for biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids, with more stringent requirements if discharging into sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into a local watercourse that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal environment supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. Effective wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect bathing water quality along the Silver Coast.
Environmental context
The plant is located near the Atlantic coast of Portugal, within the watershed of the Atlantic Ocean. The receiving water body is likely a small river or stream that drains into the coastal zone. This area supports diverse marine ecosystems, including seagrass beds and rocky reefs, and is important for migratory fish species. Nutrient loading from wastewater could contribute to eutrophication in coastal waters, making treatment performance critical for ecological health.
Frequently asked questions
The Caldas da Rainha wastewater treatment plant is located in the Leiria District of Portugal, approximately 10 km inland from the Atlantic coast.
The plant serves a population of approximately 36,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is likely discharged into a local watercourse that flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting the coastal marine environment.
As a Portuguese plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people are required to provide secondary treatment, with possible tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
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