Vila Facaia_Ramalhal_ Wastewater Treatment Plant, Torres Vedras, Portugal

Vila Facaia_Ramalhal_ is a wastewater treatment facility located in the parish of Ramalhal, near Vila Facaia, in the municipality of Torres Vedras, Lisbon District, Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,900 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Portuguese and EU regulations. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive receiving waters. The plant has a designed capacity of 4,055 m³/day and currently discharges 483.52 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains to the Atlantic Ocean, given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km). This coastal location makes advanced treatment particularly important for preventing eutrophication and protecting marine ecosystems. The plant contributes to the overall water quality management in the Lisbon region.

The plant discharges into a small stream that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near the western coast of Portugal. This coastal zone supports diverse marine life, including fish nurseries and migratory bird habitats. The advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient loading, which is critical in this region to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality for tourism and fisheries.