Overview
Praia de Quiaios wastewater treatment plant serves the coastal community of Quiaios in Figueira da Foz, Portugal. It is designed for a capacity of 1.00 and serves a population of 12,000.
Praia de Quiaios wastewater treatment plant is located in the coastal village of Quiaios, part of the municipality of Figueira da Foz in the Coimbra district of Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 12,000 residents and visitors, reflecting its role in supporting a small coastal community. As a facility within the European Union, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with potential for tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00, indicating its scale relative to the population served. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal watershed. The region's coastal ecology includes dune systems and marine habitats that benefit from proper wastewater management to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the coastal watershed of the Atlantic Ocean near Praia de Quiaios, a beach area known for its dune ecosystems and marine biodiversity. The receiving waters support a variety of aquatic life and are important for local fisheries and tourism. Proper treatment helps prevent eutrophication and maintains the ecological health of the coastal zone.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Praia de Quiaios, a coastal village in the municipality of Figueira da Foz, Coimbra district, Portugal.
The plant serves approximately 12,000 people, including residents and seasonal visitors to the coastal area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local coastal watershed, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Praia de Quiaios.
As a plant serving a population of 12,000, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size, with possible tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are sensitive.
In Portugal, plants of this scale typically provide secondary biological treatment, often with nutrient removal to protect coastal waters, in compliance with EU directives.
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