Overview
Elvas wastewater treatment plant serves the city of Elvas in Portugal's Portalegre district. It treats wastewater from approximately 18,000 residents under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Elvas wastewater treatment plant is located in Monte da Torre, near the Caia stream, in the parish of Caia, São Pedro e Alcáçova, Elvas, Portalegre, Portugal. It serves a population of around 18,000 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Portuguese plant, it 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 a sensitive area. Compliance with the directive ensures appropriate treatment for the local population. The treated effluent is likely discharged into the Caia stream, a tributary of the Guadiana River, which flows south to the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Ocean). The Guadiana basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the Iberian Peninsula. The plant plays a key role in protecting this downstream environment from nutrient pollution.
Environmental context
The Elvas plant discharges into the Caia stream, which joins the Guadiana River near the border with Spain. The Guadiana flows southward through the Algarve and into the Gulf of Cádiz, a productive coastal area in the Atlantic. The river supports a variety of fish species, including the endangered Iberian barbel, and its estuary is a vital stopover for migratory birds. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in this transboundary river system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Monte da Torre, Estrada do Caia, Bairro das Alpedreiras, in the parish of Caia, São Pedro e Alcáçova, Elvas, Portalegre, Portugal.
The plant serves approximately 18,000 residents in the city of Elvas and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Caia stream, which flows into the Guadiana River and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Cádiz.
As a medium agglomeration (18,000 people), the plant is required to provide secondary treatment under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be needed.
For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard under EU regulations. Many plants also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like the Guadiana River.
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