Overview
The ZAKYNTHOS wastewater treatment plant serves the municipality of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands, Greece, with a population equivalent of 44,550. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment fo
The ZAKYNTHOS wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipal unit of Zakynthos, on the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands region of Greece. The plant serves a population equivalent of 44,550, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. Its coastal location within 50 km of the Ionian Sea influences its environmental management. As a Greek facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 10,000 and 150,000 population equivalent discharging into coastal waters. The directive also mandates more stringent treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Ionian Sea, a key marine ecosystem in the Mediterranean. The surrounding waters support diverse marine life, including sea turtles and important fisheries. The plant plays a critical role in protecting the coastal environment of Zakynthos, a popular tourist destination, from untreated wastewater pollution.
Environmental context
The ZAKYNTHOS plant discharges into the Ionian Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea basin. The coastal waters around Zakynthos are ecologically sensitive, supporting seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity, including the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect these habitats from eutrophication and contamination.
Frequently asked questions
The ZAKYNTHOS wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipal unit of Zakynthos, on the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands region of Greece.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 44,550, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Ionian Sea, a coastal marine environment that is part of the Mediterranean Sea.
As a Greek facility serving over 10,000 people, the plant must comply with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters. If the receiving waters are designated as sensitive, more stringent treatment may be required.
For agglomerations of this size in Greece, the EU directive mandates at least secondary treatment (biological treatment). Many plants also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Nearby plants