Overview
Loule wastewater treatment plant serves Loulé, Portugal, with a designed capacity of 1.00 and a population served of 25,800. Located in the Faro district, it operates under EU regulations.
The Loule wastewater treatment plant is located in Parrela, Loulé (São Clemente), in the municipality of Loulé, Faro district, Portugal. It serves a population of approximately 25,800, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU standards. As a Portuguese facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into inland waters or estuaries. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive areas. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast, indicating potential influence on coastal water quality. The treated effluent from the Loule plant likely discharges into a local watercourse that eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean via the southern coast of Portugal. The region's watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for tourism and fisheries. Proper treatment helps protect downstream ecosystems and bathing water quality along the Algarve coast.
Environmental context
The Loule plant discharges into a local watercourse that drains into the Atlantic Ocean along the Algarve coast. This coastal region supports diverse marine life and is a popular tourist destination, making water quality crucial. The downstream environment includes sensitive coastal habitats that benefit from effective wastewater treatment.
Frequently asked questions
The Loule plant is located in Parrela, Loulé (São Clemente), in the municipality of Loulé, Faro district, Portugal.
The plant serves a population of approximately 25,800 people.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually flows to the Atlantic Ocean along the Algarve coast.
As a Portuguese facility, the Loule plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving agglomerations of 10,000 to 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
Nearby plants