Overview
Povoa da Galega wastewater treatment plant in Mafra, Portugal, serves 2,400 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 400.15 m³/day and is located within 10 km of the Atlantic coast.
Povoa da Galega is a secondary-level wastewater treatment plant located in the Milharado parish of Mafra, Lisbon District, Portugal. It serves a population of approximately 2,400 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Atlantic coast, within 10 km of the shoreline, and discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that ultimately reach the ocean. As a secondary treatment facility, Povoa da Galega meets the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 11,240 m³/day, though current discharge volume is 400.15 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's receiving water body is not explicitly named, but given its coastal proximity, treated effluent likely drains into small streams or groundwater that feed into the Atlantic Ocean. This coastal discharge requires careful management to protect marine ecosystems, including bathing waters and coastal habitats. The plant contributes to safeguarding local water quality in the Mafra region, which supports both agricultural and tourism activities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local watercourses that flow toward the Atlantic Ocean, a region known for its diverse marine life and important coastal ecosystems. The area supports migratory bird routes and features sandy beaches and rocky shores. Effluent from the plant must meet quality standards to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect bathing water quality along the Lisbon coast.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Póvoa da Galega, Milharado, in the municipality of Mafra, Lisbon District, Portugal.
The plant serves approximately 2,400 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The plant discharges treated effluent at a rate of 400.15 m³/day into local watercourses that flow toward the Atlantic Ocean.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size.
As a Portuguese plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for small agglomerations and sets effluent quality standards.
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