Overview
Torres Novas wastewater treatment plant serves the city of Torres Novas in Santarém, Portugal, with a population equivalent of 60,000. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
The Torres Novas wastewater treatment plant is located in the industrial zone of Cotôas, serving the municipality of Torres Novas in the Santarém district of central Portugal. The facility handles wastewater from a population equivalent of approximately 60,000, placing it in the medium-to-large agglomeration category under EU classification. As a Portuguese plant, Torres Novas operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. For discharges into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be mandated. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with national and European water quality objectives. The treated effluent 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 flows westward through Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The receiving water bodies support diverse aquatic life and are important for regional water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Tagus River basin, which flows through central Portugal and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at the Tagus Estuary near Lisbon. This estuary is a vital ecological zone supporting migratory birds, fish species, and diverse habitats. The watershed is subject to EU water quality standards, and the plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
The Torres Novas wastewater treatment plant is located at Rua Cardilium, Zona Industrial de Cotôas, in Torres Novas, Santarém District, Portugal.
The plant serves a population equivalent of approximately 60,000 people, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant discharges into the Tagus River basin, which flows through central Portugal to the Atlantic Ocean. It helps protect the water quality of the Tagus and its tributaries.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations over 10,000 population equivalent must provide secondary treatment. Torres Novas, serving 60,000 PE, is required to meet this standard, with possible tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas.
In Portugal, plants serving around 60,000 people typically employ secondary biological treatment, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EU standards. Some may include nutrient removal if the receiving water body is sensitive to eutrophication.
Nearby plants