GARAGUSO_CDA_PARATA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Calciano, Basilicata

GARAGUSO_CDA_PARATA is a wastewater treatment plant located in the municipality of Calciano, within the province of Matera in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The plant serves a small population of approximately 198 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small community setting. Its location along Strada Provinciale ex SS277 places it in the agricultural landscape of the Basilicata interior. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 200 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 39.20 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating it is appropriately scaled for current demand. The treatment process involves biological degradation of organic matter, followed by sedimentation, to reduce pollutants before discharge. The treated effluent is released into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ionian Sea via the Basento or Bradano river systems. This inland location, over 50 km from the coast, means the discharge primarily affects local streams and groundwater. The plant's operation helps protect the sensitive karstic aquifers of the region and supports the ecological health of the Basilicata river basins, which are important for agriculture and biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the inland watershed of Basilicata, likely tributaries of the Basento or Bradano rivers, which flow eastward to the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea. This region features karstic geology, making groundwater particularly vulnerable to contamination. The treated effluent supports the ecological balance of local streams, which host species such as the Italian riffle dace and provide irrigation water for agriculture. Protecting these water bodies is crucial for maintaining the region's rural economy and natural habitats.