New Funchal Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhances Regional Environmental Sustainability

On 28 June 2025, the new Funchal Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETAR), located in the Lazareto Valley, was inaugurated. This €12.7 million investment represents the largest project ever undertaken by the municipality and is a key infrastructure for meeting European environmental standards and improving the city’s environmental quality.
The project involved the construction of a 46-metre-deep shaft in a valley with difficult terrain, requiring advanced technical solutions and specialised equipment. It addresses a long-standing need in Funchal, ensuring effective treatment of wastewater before it is returned to the environment.

The Funchal ETAR was co-financed by various sources, including POSEUR, the Madeira 2030 programme, FEDER, and Portugal 2020–2030, along with long-term loans.

The Regional Government of Madeira emphasised the importance of this investment as an example of the effective use of European cohesion funds, which are vital for the sustainable development of island territories. The new Funchal ETAR stands as a reference work in urban and environmental sustainability, reinforcing the public sector’s commitment to environmental protection and the population’s quality of life.