Overview
Lordelo wastewater treatment plant serves Santo Tirso, Portugal, with a population equivalent of 143,400. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
Lordelo wastewater treatment plant is located in Santo Tirso, Porto district, Portugal, serving a population equivalent of approximately 143,400. The facility is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are part of the regional wastewater infrastructure managed by municipal authorities. The plant falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations larger than 15,000 population equivalent. Given its size, Lordelo is classified as a large agglomeration, and in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required to protect receiving water bodies. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the Douro River basin. The region's water bodies support diverse aquatic life and are important for both ecological balance and human use, including agriculture and recreation.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent flows into the Douro River basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean near Porto. The Douro River and its tributaries support a variety of fish species and provide habitat for migratory birds. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with areas designated for conservation under national and European frameworks, though specific protected-area designations are not confirmed for this immediate location.
Frequently asked questions
Lordelo wastewater treatment plant is located in Vila Nova do Campo, Santo Tirso, Porto district, Portugal. The address is Travessa Primeiro de Maio, 4795-446.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 143,400 people, classifying it as a large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated wastewater from Lordelo is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Douro River basin, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a plant serving over 100,000 population equivalent, Lordelo is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment and, in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment to reduce nutrients.
In Portugal, wastewater treatment plants serving large agglomerations typically employ secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal, to meet EU standards. Some plants also incorporate tertiary treatment for phosphorus and nitrogen reduction.
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