Maiorca Wastewater Treatment Plant, Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Maiorca wastewater treatment plant is located in the Raposeira area of Maiorca, within the municipality of Figueira da Foz, Coimbra district, Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,400 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Portuguese and EU regulations. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 2,500 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 400.15 m³/day, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the Mondego River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's water quality, supporting both local ecosystems and downstream coastal environments.

The plant discharges into the Mondego River basin, which flows through central Portugal and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Figueira da Foz. The downstream environment includes estuarine and coastal habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species. The secondary treatment helps reduce organic load and nutrient pollution, safeguarding water quality in the river and coastal zone.