Vila Nova de Ancos Wastewater Treatment Plant, Soure, Portugal

Vila Nova de Ancos is a wastewater treatment plant located in the parish of Vila Nova de Ancos, within the municipality of Soure, Coimbra district, Portugal. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,300 people and is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the region. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 2,370 m³/day, with a reported discharge volume of 383.48 m³/day, indicating operational capacity well within design limits. Treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Mondego River basin, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean near Figueira da Foz. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the region's rivers and supporting downstream aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Mondego River basin, which flows through central Portugal and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Figueira da Foz. The Mondego is the longest river entirely within Portugal and supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as the Iberian barbel and nase. The downstream estuary is an important area for migratory birds and local fisheries. Secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollution and nutrient loads, contributing to the ecological health of the river and coastal waters.