Choupal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Coimbra, Portugal

Choupal is a wastewater treatment plant located in Coimbra, Portugal, serving a population equivalent of 170,000. The plant is situated in the Bencanta area, near the Mondego River, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the region. As a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), the plant is required to provide at least secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per second or similar unit), indicating a substantial infrastructure to handle the wastewater load from Coimbra and surrounding areas. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mondego River, which flows westward to the Atlantic Ocean near Figueira da Foz. The river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor. The plant's operation helps protect water quality in the Mondego basin and downstream coastal waters.

Choupal discharges treated wastewater into the Mondego River, which flows through central Portugal and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Figueira da Foz. The river supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The plant's treatment helps maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive river system, which is used for agriculture, recreation, and drinking water supply downstream.