Calasetta Loc Fornace Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sardinia

The Calasetta Loc Fornace wastewater treatment plant is located in Calasetta, a coastal town on the island of Sardinia, Italy. The plant serves a population of about 4,364 residents and is situated near the port area, reflecting its role in managing municipal wastewater for this Mediterranean community. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 6,730 cubic meters per day and an average discharge volume of 864 cubic meters per day, the facility has ample capacity to handle current loads. The treated wastewater is discharged into the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea, specifically near the Gulf of Asinara. This discharge point is within 10 kilometers of the coast, making the plant's effluent management important for local marine water quality and the preservation of Sardinia's coastal ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Asinara, a semi-enclosed basin that supports diverse marine life including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. The coastal waters around Calasetta are part of a sensitive marine environment where nutrient inputs from wastewater can affect water quality and ecosystem health. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants, but the proximity to the coast underscores the need for careful monitoring to protect bathing waters and marine habitats.