DEPURATORE DI MALE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Malé, Italy

DEPURATORE DI MALE is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Malé, within the Val di Sole region of Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy. The facility serves a population of approximately 8,655 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As an Italian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size discharging into freshwater. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with national standards for effluent quality. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, ultimately draining into the Noce River, a tributary of the Adige River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the sensitive alpine watershed and downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Noce River, which flows through the Val di Sole and joins the Adige River near Trento. The Adige is Italy's second-longest river and drains into the Adriatic Sea. The alpine watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important corridor for migratory fish species. The region's mountainous terrain and seasonal tourism increase the importance of effective wastewater treatment to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect downstream water quality.