IMPIANTO C DA S MARIA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Castell'Umberto, Sicily

IMPIANTO C DA S MARIA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Surra, Castell'Umberto, in the province of Messina, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,500 people and has a designed capacity of 1,950 m³/day, currently operating at about 15% utilization with a discharge volume of 296.95 m³/day. The plant provides primary treatment, which involves physical sedimentation to remove settleable solids. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 are generally required to have secondary treatment. However, primary treatment may be acceptable in certain coastal areas with favorable dispersion conditions, subject to national regulations. The plant is located within 10 km of the coast, discharging into the Tyrrhenian Sea via local watercourses. The surrounding area is characterized by the Nebrodi Mountains and agricultural land, with the plant playing a role in protecting coastal water quality and marine ecosystems in the region.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Tyrrhenian Sea near the northern coast of Sicily. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The proximity to the coast means that treated effluent must meet standards to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect sensitive marine habitats.