The Diplomat
Águas Públicas do Alentejo has awarded Acciona the construction of the Ermidas do Sado wastewater treatment plant in Portugal and its subsequent commissioning for a period of one year.
According to the company, the contract is worth 3.1 million euros and the facility will serve a population equivalent of 4,100 inhabitants.
Fifty per cent of the treated water is of industrial origin, removing pollutants from the water and returning it to the environment without causing a negative environmental impact.
The new plant will be located in the Setubal district, on the site of the existing WWTP, but its construction will be carried out without disrupting the operation of the existing WWTP.
The facility contains a pioneering biological treatment line including pre-treatment and a lamination tank, which reduces the plant’s footprint and, in turn, its visual and environmental impact. This is the first biological treatment of this kind to be used by Acciona in Portugal. A system will also be installed to reduce odours through the use of a high-performance biofilter.
Acciona has previously worked with Águas Públicas do Alentejo on other projects such as the Alcácer do Sal WWTP, the Monte da Rocha DWTP and more recently the improvement and remodelling of the Alvito DWTP.
Portugal was one of Acciona’s first international markets and it has developed more than 70 projects there, including infrastructure works of all kinds, as well as owned assets in wind and photovoltaic technology.
Acciona has participated in the construction of emblematic infrastructure projects in that country, such as the Oriente Station, Infante Don Henrique Bridge, Olhão Marina and the Alqueva Dam. In the water sector, it has built more than thirty wastewater and drinking water treatment plants. For example, the Companheira Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Portimão and the Alcantarilha WWTP, both in the Algarve.