Figueira_Salema Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vila do Bispo, Portugal

Figueira_Salema is a wastewater treatment plant located in Vila do Bispo, in the Faro district of Portugal's Algarve region. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,400 and is situated near the coastal area of Figueira beach. It is currently closed, but its infrastructure reflects the standards of Portugal's wastewater management. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 5,800 m³/day, with an actual discharge volume of 733.61 m³/day, indicating the plant was built to handle larger flows than currently processed. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal environment, likely affecting the Atlantic Ocean near the Costa Vicentina. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life and migratory species. The plant's proximity to the coast underscores the importance of advanced treatment to protect water quality and coastal ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near the Costa Vicentina, a stretch of the Algarve coast known for its cliffs and biodiversity. The receiving waters are part of a marine ecosystem that supports fish, seabirds, and migratory species. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting the coastal environment from eutrophication and other impacts.