The long-promised olfactory amelioration for those within the sewage sniff zone between Faro and Olhão, is close to fruition with the inauguration of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant scheduled within the next ten days.
The mains sewage pipes from the two cities and from São Brás de Alportel, all now are discharging into the new Águas do Algarve facility as testing under full flow conditions continue.
The Olhão Poente sewage plant and the one on the outskirts of Faro, both for so long the cause of foul air, already have been decommissioned, their malodorous lagoons lie still.
The new plant employs a biological treatment process that reduces carbon emissions and is energy efficient, able to service the requirements 113,000 citizens.
Of the estimated €22 million cost, Águas do Algarve invested €16.6 million in this Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest investment in sanitation ever made in the Algarve and one of the largest in the country. The project benefits from funds under the EU’s 'Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources' (POSEUR) scheme.
The plant has been designed by Acciona Agua and uses Nereda® technology, an innovative method of treating wastewater that reduces the plant’s carbon footprint by 50% and achieves energy savings of between 30 and 40%.
The plant also has solar panels that, with an installed capacity of 50 kW, will produce energy for use by auxiliary services.
As for the sewage flowing intot he Ria Formosa from a pipe near the ferry ticket office in Olhão, not a word, despite this illegality continuing day after day.
