Overview
Portalegre wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 31,700 people in Portalegre, Portugal. The facility operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Portalegre wastewater treatment plant is located in the civil parish of Fortios, near the city of Portalegre in the Alto Alentejo region of Portugal. The facility serves an estimated population of 31,700, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. As a Portuguese plant, Portalegre operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater and estuaries for agglomerations above 15,000 population equivalent. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Tagus River basin, one of the Iberian Peninsula's major river systems. The Tagus flows westward through Portugal and into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and urban use.
Environmental context
The Portalegre plant discharges into tributaries of the Tagus River basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The region's Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters influences seasonal flow variations in receiving streams. The downstream environment supports aquatic life typical of Iberian freshwater systems, including native fish species and riparian vegetation. The Tagus estuary is an ecologically significant area for migratory birds and marine life.
Frequently asked questions
The Portalegre wastewater treatment plant is located at Estradao Mte da Vinha Entre Ribeiras, in the civil parish of Fortios, near the city of Portalegre, Portugal.
The Portalegre plant serves an estimated population of 31,700 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent from the Portalegre plant is discharged into local watercourses that are part of the Tagus River basin, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese facility, the Portalegre plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which sets standards for collection, treatment, and discharge of urban wastewater based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are generally required to have secondary treatment (biological treatment) unless the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas, which may require more advanced treatment.
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