Turcifal Wastewater Treatment Plant, Torres Vedras, Portugal

Turcifal wastewater treatment plant is located in the parish of Ventosa, Torres Vedras, in the Lisbon district of Portugal. The facility serves a population of approximately 6,000 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, away from the coast, and its treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean. As a small agglomeration in Portugal, Turcifal is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment based on the sensitivity of the receiving waters. For plants serving fewer than 10,000 people, secondary treatment is typically mandated unless the discharge is into less sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating it is sized for its current population load. The treated wastewater from Turcifal is discharged into local streams that are part of the Tagus River basin or smaller coastal basins in the region. These water bodies ultimately drain into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The area supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities, making proper treatment essential to protect water quality and downstream ecosystems.

Turcifal's treated effluent flows into local streams within the Tagus River basin, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean near Lisbon. The receiving waters support agricultural irrigation and freshwater habitats for fish and invertebrates. The region's Mediterranean climate with seasonal rainfall means that maintaining water quality is crucial for both ecological health and human use, including recreational activities in downstream areas.