CDA_SCALDATO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Salaparuta, Sicily

CDA_SCALDATO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Salaparuta, in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of about 4,610, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, and discharges into local watercourses that eventually reach the Mediterranean Sea. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 7,000 m³/day, with an average daily discharge volume of approximately 913 m³, indicating a utilization rate of about 13%. This suggests the plant has ample capacity for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the region's river systems. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of downstream ecosystems, including coastal areas and marine habitats. Its operation helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, supporting the ecological health of the surrounding environment.

The plant discharges into the drainage basin of Sicily, which ultimately flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The region's watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for local agriculture and tourism. The secondary treatment process reduces organic matter and suspended solids, helping to minimize eutrophication risks in downstream coastal waters.