Sabugal Nova ETAR - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Quintas de São Bartolomeu, Portugal

Sabugal Nova ETAR is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Quintas de São Bartolomeu, within the Sabugal municipality in the Guarda district of Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,700 residents, providing secondary treatment to domestic wastewater from the surrounding community. The plant operates with a designed capacity of 8,478 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 450.17 cubic meters, indicating significant spare capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the standard requirements under Portuguese and EU regulations for inland wastewater treatment, ensuring effective removal of organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watercourse, which flows into the Côa River, a tributary of the Douro River. The Côa River valley is known for its archaeological and ecological significance, and the plant's operations help maintain water quality in this sensitive watershed, supporting downstream aquatic habitats and agricultural uses.

The plant discharges into a small watercourse that feeds into the Côa River, a major tributary of the Douro River. The Côa basin is ecologically important, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for irrigation. The Douro River ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto. The region's Mediterranean climate with seasonal rainfall means that maintaining consistent treatment quality is crucial for protecting downstream ecosystems during low-flow periods.