ATELLA_LEVATA_ Wastewater Treatment Plant, Atella, Basilicata, Italy

ATELLA_LEVATA_ is a wastewater treatment plant located in Atella, within the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The plant serves a population of 3,610 and operates as part of the municipal infrastructure for the Appulo-Lucana area. Its inland location places it away from coastal zones, contributing to its low marine discharge risk. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 2,300 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 714.65 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating adequate headroom for current loads. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with effluent quality standards for inland receiving waters. The treated effluent from ATELLA_LEVATA_ is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the broader Basilicata watershed. The region's rivers flow toward the Ionian Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality and ecological health in this agriculturally important area.

The plant discharges into inland watercourses within the Basilicata region, which ultimately drain into the Ionian Sea via rivers such as the Ofanto or Bradano. The watershed supports agricultural activities and diverse aquatic life, including fish species that rely on good water quality. Secondary treatment reduces organic pollutants and nutrients, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream rivers and coastal zones.