Overview
Peniche wastewater treatment plant serves the coastal city of Peniche, Portugal, with a population equivalent of 40,700. The facility operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomera
The Peniche wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal city of Peniche, Leiria District, Portugal. Serving a population equivalent of 40,700, the facility is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for this Atlantic coast community. The plant's address is Pesqueiro Carreiro do Cabo, Marginal Sul, Peniche, 2520-215. As a medium-sized agglomeration in Portugal, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal environment near Peniche. The local watershed drains into the Atlantic, supporting marine ecosystems along the Portuguese coast. The region is known for its coastal biodiversity, including fish and seabird populations, and the treatment plant plays a key role in protecting these waters from nutrient pollution.
Environmental context
The Peniche wastewater treatment plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean along the central Portuguese coast. This coastal area supports diverse marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and seabirds, and is part of a broader upwelling ecosystem that sustains local fisheries. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its effluent directly influences nearshore water quality, making effective treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and protect recreational and ecological values.
Frequently asked questions
The Peniche wastewater treatment plant is located at Pesqueiro Carreiro do Cabo, Marginal Sul, in the city of Peniche, Leiria District, Portugal.
The Peniche WWTP serves a population equivalent of 40,700, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The Peniche plant discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic Ocean, as it is located within 50 km of the coast. The discharge point is in the coastal waters near Peniche.
The Peniche WWTP operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters from agglomerations over 10,000 population equivalent.
For plants serving around 40,000 people in Portugal, secondary treatment is standard under the EU UWWTD. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required to reduce nutrients.
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