CDA_PIANTO_DELLE_DONNE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Salemi, Sicily

CDA_PIANTO_DELLE_DONNE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Salemi, in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,315 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and operates under the regulatory framework of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required for agglomerations of this size under the EU directive. Its designed capacity is 8,500 m³/day, with a reported discharge volume of 656.25 m³/day, indicating a utilization rate well below capacity. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a river or stream that flows towards the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local watershed and downstream ecosystems, including the coastal waters of the Strait of Sicily. By reducing organic pollutants and nutrients, it helps maintain water quality and supports aquatic life in the region.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that drains into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via the Mazaro River or a nearby stream. The downstream environment includes coastal waters of the Strait of Sicily, which support diverse marine life and are important for fisheries. The secondary treatment reduces organic load and suspended solids, helping to prevent eutrophication and protect sensitive marine habitats.