Impianto C. da Molino Nuovo - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Monterosso Almo, Sicily

Impianto C. da Molino Nuovo is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Contrada Carcarella, Monterosso Almo, in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,888 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. The designed capacity is 4,000 m³/day, with a reported discharge volume of 0.07 million m³ per year, indicating the plant operates well within its capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's water resources, including groundwater and coastal waters, from pollution. Its operation supports the ecological health of the Ionian Sea coast, which is important for tourism and marine biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the local drainage basin of southeastern Sicily, which flows into the Ionian Sea near the Gulf of Noto. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is part of a region with sensitive karst aquifers. Proper treatment helps prevent eutrophication and protects bathing waters that are vital for local tourism and fisheries.