Impianto C da Masera Wastewater Treatment Plant, Vizzini, Sicily

Impianto C da Masera is a wastewater treatment plant located in Vizzini, a town in the province of Catania, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1667 people and has a designed capacity of 2000 cubic meters per day. It provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size. The plant operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations with a population equivalent greater than 2000. For smaller agglomerations like Vizzini, appropriate treatment is required to ensure environmental protection. The plant's discharge volume is reported as 330.01 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its designed capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Ionian Sea. The region's Mediterranean climate and karst topography influence water management. The plant plays a key role in protecting local streams and the downstream coastal environment from untreated sewage, supporting both ecological health and tourism in the area.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow towards the Ionian Sea, a key marine ecosystem in the Mediterranean. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory species. The region's karst geology means groundwater and surface water are closely connected, making proper treatment essential to prevent contamination of drinking water sources and coastal habitats.