Cartuboleo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mazara del Vallo, Sicily

Cartuboleo is a wastewater treatment plant located in Mazara del Vallo, in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,675 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 3,000 cubic meters per day, with an actual discharge volume of 331.59 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely into the Mediterranean Sea given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km). The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal waters of Sicily, a region known for its marine biodiversity and tourism.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near Mazara del Vallo, a coastal town in southwestern Sicily. The receiving waters are part of the Strait of Sicily, a critical marine corridor supporting diverse fish stocks and migratory species. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to seagrass meadows and coastal habitats that rely on good water quality.