DS2 – Comporta WWTP Demo Site approaches Milestone MS4 and reaches national recognition
MS4 approach (Final Monitoring Phase) and ERSAR Innovation Awards
The MARCLAIMED project is starting 2026 with significant recognition and technical advancements at the Comporta Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) demo site.
MS4 approach (Final Monitoring Phase): LNEC and AgdA teams successfully completed the 7th sampling campaign (January 2026). This indicates the last stage in a comprehensive two-year water sampling strategy, with the 8th and final campaign scheduled for April 2026. This will fed D4.1.
The chemical analysis performed from the water sampled at these campaigns (from TWW, vadose zone and piezometers) is now revealing long-term contaminant seasonal trends in the treated wastewater (TWW) and attenuation rates within the different SAT-MAR systems. These findings are critical for determining the most cost-efficient SAT-MAR system performance. Finally, the ‘Lessons Learnt’ project deliverable (D4.2), in the context of WP 4, has started to be delineated and will present the identified constraints and chemical analysis results, aiming to strengthen regulations and provide clear guidelines for replicating this nature-based solution in other semi-arid regions.
Innovation Recognition: The MARCLAIMED project’s impact has been recognized nationally, led and managed by AgdA, the Comporta WWTP selected as a top 3 finalist for the ERSAR Innovation Award 2025. This distinction highlights the project’s contribution to the water and sanitation sector, acknowledging the Comporta demo site as a novel structure for sustainable water reuse.
Enhanced Data Collection: To further refine infiltration data, a second Volumetric Water Content (VWC) TDR probe has been implemented to strengthen data collection. This upgrade enhances the monitoring capabilities initiated in January 2025, which marked a key step in assessing infiltration efficiency, optimizing recharge operations, and evaluating the water retention capacity of the vadose zone. This implementation now enables simultaneous VWC monitoring across the distinct Soil-Aquifer Treatment (SAT) systems, namely the Biochar and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) ameliorated basins, and the conventional sand basin, allowing the research team to observe and compare distinct SAT system behaviors within the same period.
