Overview
Rib de Frades wastewater treatment plant serves Coimbra, Portugal, with a designed capacity of 1.00 and a population served of 33,361. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Rib de Frades is a wastewater treatment plant located in Coimbra, Portugal, serving a population of 33,361. The plant is situated in the Bencanta area, near the Mondego River, and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for this part of the city. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for populations over 10,000. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00, indicating it is sized to handle the local wastewater load. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate standards are met. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Mondego River and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean near Figueira da Foz. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture and biodiversity. The plant's operation helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mondego River basin, which flows westward through central Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean. The Mondego is one of Portugal's major rivers, supporting diverse aquatic habitats and providing water for irrigation and urban use. Downstream, the estuary near Figueira da Foz is an important area for migratory birds and fish species. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to maintain water quality and ecological balance in this watershed.
Frequently asked questions
Rib de Frades wastewater treatment plant is located in Coimbra, Portugal, specifically in the Bencanta area near Estrada do Rio.
The plant serves a population of 33,361 people in the Coimbra region.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Mondego River and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese plant serving over 10,000 people, Rib de Frades operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for such agglomerations.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, plants serving populations between 10,000 and 150,000 are required to provide secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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