Overview
Faro Noroeste wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 38,680 people in Faro, Portugal. Located near the coast, it operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive standards.
Faro Noroeste is a wastewater treatment plant serving the city of Faro in Portugal's Algarve region. The facility handles wastewater for a population equivalent of around 38,680, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. As a Portuguese plant, Faro Noroeste 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 plant's coastal proximity. The treated effluent from Faro Noroeste ultimately discharges into the Atlantic Ocean via the Ria Formosa lagoon system, a dynamic coastal ecosystem. This lagoon supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds, making proper treatment essential for protecting water quality and biodiversity.
Environmental context
Faro Noroeste discharges into the Ria Formosa lagoon, a coastal lagoon system connected to the Atlantic Ocean. This ecosystem supports diverse marine and bird life and is ecologically sensitive. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent can influence coastal water quality, requiring compliance with EU standards for sensitive areas.
Frequently asked questions
Faro Noroeste is located in the Montenegro area of Faro, Portugal, at Rua Henriques Fernandes Serrao.
The plant serves approximately 38,680 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Ria Formosa lagoon system, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese plant, Faro Noroeste operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations over 15,000 population equivalent.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment. For coastal discharges, additional nutrient removal may be needed to protect sensitive marine environments.
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