Overview
Mealhada wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 18,000 people in the Aveiro region of Portugal. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Mealhada wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Mealhada, in the Aveiro district of central Portugal. The facility serves a population of around 18,000, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. Its address is Rua da Quinta, Cardal, Mealhada, 3050-387, Portugal. As a plant serving between 10,000 and 100,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard. Portuguese wastewater plants are regulated by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and must comply with national water quality standards. The plant discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Vouga River or nearby coastal systems. The region is part of the Vouga River basin, an ecologically important area supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and the sensitive coastal environment of the Aveiro lagoon system.
Environmental context
The Mealhada plant discharges into the Vouga River basin, which flows into the Ria de Aveiro, a coastal lagoon system connected to the Atlantic Ocean. This lagoon is an ecologically sensitive area that supports diverse bird life, fish populations, and salt marsh habitats. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain the ecological balance of this important coastal ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
The Mealhada wastewater treatment plant is located at Rua da Quinta, Cardal, Mealhada, in the Aveiro district of central Portugal.
The plant serves approximately 18,000 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into the Vouga River basin and ultimately reaches the Ria de Aveiro lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese plant serving over 10,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment. National oversight is provided by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving between 10,000 and 100,000 people must provide at least secondary treatment. Many Portuguese plants also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal waters like the Ria de Aveiro.
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