Overview
Mexilhoeira da Carregacao wastewater treatment plant serves Portimão, Portugal, treating wastewater for approximately 9,400 people. The facility operates under EU regulations for secondary treatment.
The Mexilhoeira da Carregacao wastewater treatment plant is located in Portimão, Algarve, Portugal, serving a population of about 9,400. Situated near the Arade River, it is part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. As a plant serving a medium agglomeration, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for inland discharges. The designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating a facility sized for its population. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Arade River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Portimão. The Algarve coast is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life and important for tourism. Proper treatment helps protect coastal water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Arade River, which flows southward into the Atlantic Ocean at the Algarve coast. This coastal region supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including seagrass beds and fish nurseries, and is a key area for tourism and fisheries. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect marine biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Portimão, Algarve, Portugal, near the Arade River.
The plant serves approximately 9,400 people.
Treated effluent is discharged into the Arade River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese plant serving over 2,000 people, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment.
For agglomerations of this size, the EU directive requires secondary treatment, typically involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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