IMPIANTO C DA FALCONIERA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ustica, Sicily

IMPIANTO C DA FALCONIERA is a wastewater treatment plant located on the island of Ustica, in the municipality of Ustica, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of 3,034 and is situated near the coast, reflecting the island's reliance on marine ecosystems. 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 3,500 cubic meters per day, with an average daily discharge of 600.62 cubic meters, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into the surrounding marine environment of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ustica is a small island with a marine protected area, making the plant's performance critical for preserving local water quality and biodiversity. The plant contributes to safeguarding the island's coastal waters and tourism-dependent economy.

The plant discharges into the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, which surrounds the island of Ustica. The coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life including seagrass meadows and fish populations. The island's marine protected area, established to conserve these habitats, relies on effective wastewater treatment to prevent nutrient pollution and maintain water quality.