Overview
Penices wastewater treatment plant serves Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal, treating wastewater from approximately 30,200 people. It is located inland but within 50 km of the coast, discharging into the local watershed.
Penices is a wastewater treatment plant located in Granda, Gondifelos, Vila Nova de Famalicão, in the Braga district of Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 30,200, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU regulations. Its location inland, yet within 50 km of the Atlantic coast, positions it within a region that balances urban and agricultural water demands. As a Portuguese facility, Penices operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The regulatory framework ensures that discharges meet standards for organic matter and suspended solids, with potential nutrient removal if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's effluent likely flows into local streams that drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the Cávado or Ave river basins. These rivers support diverse aquatic life and are important for regional water resources. The proximity to the coast means that treated wastewater must comply with standards to protect coastal water quality and marine ecosystems.
Environmental context
Penices discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the Cávado or Ave river basins. These rivers support diverse aquatic life and are important for regional water resources. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means that its effluent contributes to the overall water quality of coastal areas, which are ecologically sensitive and support fisheries and tourism.
Frequently asked questions
Penices is located in Granda, Gondifelos, Vila Nova de Famalicão, in the Braga district of Portugal.
The plant serves approximately 30,200 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Atlantic Ocean via the Cávado or Ave river basins.
Penices operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and may require nutrient removal in sensitive areas.
Under the EU UWWTD, plants serving 30,000 people typically require secondary treatment, and if discharging into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment for nutrient removal may be needed.
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