Overview
Fundao wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of Fundão, Portugal, with a population equivalent of 22,000. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Fundao wastewater treatment plant is located in Alcaria, Fundão, in the Castelo Branco district of central Portugal. It serves a population equivalent of 22,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and discharges into the local watershed. As a Portuguese facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. For inland plants in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required to protect receiving water bodies. The directive ensures that treated effluent meets quality standards before discharge. The plant's treated effluent likely enters the Zêzere River basin, which flows into the Tagus River and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Zêzere River supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water supply and irrigation. Proper treatment at Fundao helps maintain water quality in this downstream ecosystem.
Environmental context
The Fundao plant discharges into the Zêzere River, a tributary of the Tagus River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The Zêzere River basin supports diverse aquatic habitats and is used for drinking water supply and agriculture. The plant's treatment performance is critical to preventing nutrient pollution and protecting downstream ecological health in this sensitive watershed.
Frequently asked questions
The Fundao wastewater treatment plant is located in Alcaria, Fundão, in the Castelo Branco district of central Portugal.
The Fundao plant serves a population equivalent of 22,000 people.
The treated effluent from the Fundao plant is discharged into the Zêzere River, a tributary of the Tagus River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Fundao plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and may require tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people typically require secondary treatment. In sensitive areas, additional nutrient removal may be mandated.
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