Impianto C da Fontana Grande C da Costa Wastewater Treatment Plant, Camastra, Sicily

Impianto C da Fontana Grande C da Costa is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Camastra, a town in the province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of 2,156, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and European Union regulations. It is situated near the southern coast of Sicily, within 10 km of the Mediterranean Sea. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The designed capacity is 3,100 m³/day, and the current discharge volume is 426.81 m³/day, indicating operational capacity well below design. The plant operates under Italian national regulations implementing the EU directive, with permits issued by regional authorities in Sicily. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a coastal outfall. The receiving waters are part of the Strait of Sicily, a ecologically significant area supporting diverse marine life, including important fisheries and migratory species. The plant's location near the coast requires careful management to protect marine water quality and comply with EU Bathing Water Directive standards.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near the southern coast of Sicily, within the Strait of Sicily. This area supports diverse marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries, and is an important migratory corridor for marine species. The proximity to the coast necessitates stringent treatment to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect coastal water quality, which is vital for tourism and local fisheries.