Overview
Bella San Cataldo Bagni wastewater treatment plant serves the San Cataldo area in Basilicata, Italy. It provides secondary treatment for a small population of 80, with a designed capacity of 600 cubic meters per day.
The Bella San Cataldo Bagni wastewater treatment plant is located in the Bagni di San Cataldo area, near the town of San Cataldo in the municipality of Bella, within the Basilicata region of southern Italy. This facility serves a small population of approximately 80 people, reflecting its role in a rural or peri-urban setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity of 600 cubic meters per day indicates the plant's ability to handle peak flows, while the current discharge volume of 15.84 cubic meters per day suggests low utilization relative to capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ionian Sea via the Basento River or nearby streams. The plant's operation helps protect local water quality and supports the ecological health of the surrounding area, which is characterized by agricultural and natural landscapes.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local drainage network that feeds into the Basento River, one of the major rivers in Basilicata flowing into the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture. The secondary treatment provided helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream coastal waters.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Bagni di San Cataldo, near the town of San Cataldo, in the municipality of Bella, Potenza province, Basilicata region, southern Italy.
The plant serves a population of approximately 80 people, indicating a small-scale facility typical of rural areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Basento River and eventually reaches the Ionian Sea.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), small agglomerations like this (under 2,000 population equivalent) are required to provide appropriate treatment. The plant's secondary treatment meets this standard.
For very small communities in Italy, secondary treatment is common, often using biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, as mandated by national regulations implementing the EU directive.
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