Overview
Lavos wastewater treatment plant serves Figueira da Foz, Portugal, treating wastewater for approximately 6,800 people. Located near the coast, it operates under Portuguese regulations aligned with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Lavos is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Bizorreiro de Lavos area, serving the municipality of Figueira da Foz in the Coimbra district of Portugal. The plant is situated near the Atlantic coast and treats wastewater from a population of approximately 6,800 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under EU classification. As a Portuguese facility, Lavos operates under the national implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for discharges into coastal waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal environment near Figueira da Foz. This area supports diverse marine life and is part of the broader Portuguese coastal ecosystem, which includes important habitats for fish and migratory species. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality and public health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Mondego River, which flows through Figueira da Foz. This coastal zone supports diverse marine ecosystems, including nursery habitats for fish and feeding grounds for seabirds. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to the Mondego estuary, a vital wetland for migratory birds and aquatic species.
Frequently asked questions
The Lavos wastewater treatment plant is located in the Bizorreiro de Lavos area, in the parish of Lavos, municipality of Figueira da Foz, Coimbra district, Portugal. The full address is Rua da Palhinha, Bizorreiro de Lavos, Lavos, Figueira da Foz, Coimbra, 3090-454, Portugal.
The Lavos treatment plant serves approximately 6,800 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater treatment regulations.
The Lavos plant discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean, as it is located within 50 km of the coast. The discharge likely occurs via an outfall into coastal waters near Figueira da Foz.
As a Portuguese facility, Lavos operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. Compliance is enforced by Portuguese environmental authorities.
For small agglomerations (under 10,000 population equivalent) in Portugal, the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive mandates secondary treatment or equivalent. This typically involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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