Ceriana Wastewater Treatment Plant, Liguria, Italy

The Ceriana wastewater treatment plant is located in the town of Ceriana, in the Province of Imperia, Liguria, Italy. It serves a population of approximately 2,000 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant is situated near the Ligurian coast, within 10 km of the sea. 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 is 3,000 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is about 396 m³/day, indicating ample reserve capacity. The plant operates under Italian regulations implementing the EU directive. Treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ligurian Sea. The coastal environment supports diverse marine life and is an important area for tourism and fisheries. Proper treatment helps protect bathing waters and marine ecosystems along the Italian Riviera.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that flows to the Ligurian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal zone is ecologically sensitive, supporting seagrass meadows and diverse marine species. The area is also important for tourism, so maintaining high water quality is essential for both ecological and economic reasons.