Ferruzzano Canalello Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cananello, Calabria

Ferruzzano Canalello is a secondary wastewater treatment plant located in the small town of Cananello, within the municipality of Ferruzzano in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,305 residents and is situated near the Ionian Sea coast, reflecting the area's coastal character. 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. With a designed capacity of 2,800 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 258.34 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely into a nearby watercourse that flows into the Ionian Sea. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the coastal waters of the Ionian Sea from untreated sewage, supporting marine ecosystems and recreational water quality in this region of Calabria.

The plant discharges into the Ionian Sea, a major Mediterranean basin known for its biodiversity and tourism. The local watershed includes small coastal streams that drain the Aspromonte mountains. The Ionian Sea supports diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish populations, and is an important migratory corridor for sea turtles. Protecting this coastal environment from nutrient pollution is critical for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.