An environmental impact study for the proposed wastewater treatment plant at Companeira, Portimão has been released for public consultation until 11 September, according to the Portuguese Environment Agency.
This is the same €12 million treatment plant for which a tender was launched by Águas do Algarve in January 2014 with a target date to award the contract given as July 2014.
The new sewage treatment plant is to serve the Portimão municipal area but the planned size of the plant was criticised as too small to cope and the delay of another year has meant continued streams of foul air drifting across the area to the concern of locals and tourists alike.
The construction contract to be awarded by Águas do Algarve, now ‘is subject to an environmental study due to the nature, size and location of the plant’ but this should have been obvious to Águas do Algarve engineers before the planning stage.
Why Águas do Algarve failed to commission an environmental report before offering the work in January 2014 is not yet known as the design now may have to change as a result of environmental concerns and public feedback, necessitating a new tender to be offered to contractors.
Demolishing the existing treatment plant is justified by the need to "meet the quality requirements" established by the Portuguese Environment Agency and also by the need to "minimize or virtually eliminate bad smells in the vicinity of the facility."
The current treatment plant is located northeast of the city of Portimão and occupies about 23 hectares.
Portimão council has made available four additional hectares for the new construction which should have a working life of 21 years.
The environmental study document is available until the 11th of September at the Portimão council offices.
See also: http://www.algarvedailynews.com/news/1230-new-sewage-plant-for-portimao-still-may-not-cope
