Overview
The Messolonghi wastewater treatment plant serves the city of Messolonghi in western Greece, treating wastewater for approximately 14,000 residents. It is located near the coast of the Ionian Sea.
The Messolonghi wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Iera Polis Messolongiou, in the region of Western Greece. The plant serves a population of approximately 14,000 people, making it a medium-sized facility under Greek and EU classifications. Its proximity to the Ionian Sea places it in a coastal context, where treated effluent discharge must meet stringent environmental standards to protect marine ecosystems. As a Greek facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. For coastal discharges, the directive requires appropriate treatment to prevent eutrophication and safeguard bathing waters. The plant's designed capacity is reported as 1.00, though the unit is unspecified; typical plants of this scale have capacities in the range of thousands of cubic meters per day. The treated wastewater from Messolonghi is discharged into the surrounding coastal waters of the Ionian Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with significant ecological importance. The area supports diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fisheries, and is part of the broader Mediterranean basin. Proper treatment is essential to maintain water quality for tourism and local communities.
Environmental context
The Messolonghi plant discharges into the Ionian Sea, a deep basin connected to the Adriatic Sea and ultimately the Mediterranean. The coastal zone supports sensitive habitats such as Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, which are crucial for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The area is also important for migratory birds and local fisheries, making nutrient removal a key concern.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the municipality of Iera Polis Messolongiou, in the region of Western Greece, near the coast of the Ionian Sea.
The plant serves approximately 14,000 residents of the Messolonghi area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Ionian Sea, a semi-enclosed sea with sensitive marine ecosystems.
As a Greek facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size and appropriate treatment for coastal discharges.
Under the EU directive, plants serving between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent typically require secondary treatment, with additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas.
Nearby plants