Overview
Camara de Lobos wastewater treatment plant serves Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, with a designed capacity of 1.00 and population served of 25,000. The plant operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC.
Camara de Lobos wastewater treatment plant is located in Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal. It serves a population of approximately 25,000 people, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification. The plant is situated in the São Martinho parish, near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As a Portuguese facility, Camara de Lobos operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas, which is relevant given the coastal location. The treated effluent from Camara de Lobos is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean, which surrounds the island of Madeira. The coastal waters support diverse marine life, including endemic species, and are important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant plays a key role in protecting this marine environment from untreated wastewater pollution.
Environmental context
Camara de Lobos discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean off the southern coast of Madeira. The coastal waters are part of the Macaronesian biogeographic region, known for high marine biodiversity, including cetaceans and sea turtles. The plant's operation helps protect these waters from nutrient pollution and pathogens, supporting both ecological health and recreational uses like swimming and fishing.
Frequently asked questions
Camara de Lobos is located in the São Martinho parish of Funchal, on the island of Madeira, Portugal. The plant is situated near the southern coast of the island.
The plant serves approximately 25,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from Camara de Lobos is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's coastal location means the discharge directly enters marine waters.
As a Portuguese plant serving 25,000 people, Camara de Lobos falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment. In coastal areas like Madeira, additional disinfection or nutrient removal may be needed to protect marine ecosystems.
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