Overview
Vila Nova de Foz Coa wastewater treatment plant serves 6,800 people in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Vila Nova de Foz Coa wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, in the Guarda district of northern Portugal. The facility serves a population of approximately 6,800 residents, placing it within the small to medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As a Portuguese plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into freshwater bodies from agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent. For this scale, appropriate biological treatment is expected to meet the directive's standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Douro River basin. The Douro River flows westward through Portugal and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Porto. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a region known for its wine production and ecological significance.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Douro River basin, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing water for agriculture and human use. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive areas that benefit from proper wastewater treatment to maintain water quality and biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Rua do Carrascal, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Guarda, 5150-532, Portugal.
The plant serves approximately 6,800 residents in the town of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Douro River basin and eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
As a Portuguese facility, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for treatment based on population served and receiving water sensitivity.
Under the EU directive, agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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