Overview
Riachos wastewater treatment plant serves the Torres Novas area in Santarém, Portugal, with a population equivalent of 14,500. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of th
Riachos is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Brogueira, Parceiros de Igreja e Alcorochel parish, within the municipality of Torres Novas, Santarém District, Portugal. The plant serves a population equivalent of 14,500, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. As a Portuguese facility, Riachos operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent discharging into inland waters. The plant's treatment process and capacity are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with national and EU water quality objectives. The treated effluent from Riachos is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Tagus River basin, one of the Iberian Peninsula's major river systems. The Tagus River flows westward through Portugal to the Tagus Estuary near Lisbon, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture, industry, and urban use downstream.
Environmental context
The Riachos plant discharges into the Tagus River basin, which flows into the Tagus Estuary, a vital ecological area supporting migratory birds, fish species, and diverse habitats. The estuary is a key stopover on the East Atlantic Flyway and provides nursery grounds for commercially important fish. Protecting water quality in this basin is critical for maintaining the ecological health of the downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
The Riachos plant is located in the Brogueira, Parceiros de Igreja e Alcorochel parish, in the municipality of Torres Novas, Santarém District, Portugal.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 14,500, making it a medium-sized agglomeration under EU classification.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Tagus River basin, ultimately reaching the Tagus Estuary.
As a Portuguese facility, the Riachos plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of its size discharging into inland waters.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent are generally required to provide secondary treatment, unless discharging into sensitive areas that may require tertiary treatment.
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