IMPIANTO C DA SOTTOANNUNZIATA UCRIA CENTRO - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ucria, Sicily

IMPIANTO C DA SOTTOANNUNZIATA UCRIA CENTRO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ucria, a town in the province of Messina, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of 2,233 and is situated along Strada Provinciale 136 Raccujese in the Pirato area. It operates as a secondary treatment facility, a standard level for small agglomerations under Italian and EU regulations. The plant has a designed capacity of 5,000 m³/day and currently discharges an average of 442.06 m³/day of treated wastewater. As a secondary treatment plant, it meets the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2,000. The plant's capacity utilization is low, indicating ample reserve for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Tyrrhenian Sea via small coastal streams. Given its proximity to the coast (within 10 km), the plant plays a crucial role in protecting the marine environment from nutrient pollution and pathogens. The surrounding area is characterized by the Nebrodi Mountains, a region of ecological importance with diverse flora and fauna.

The plant discharges into the local drainage network that flows toward the Tyrrhenian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The receiving waters support coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and marine habitats that are sensitive to nutrient enrichment. The Nebrodi Mountains region, where Ucria is located, is known for its biodiversity and protected natural areas. Proper treatment at this plant helps prevent eutrophication and safeguards water quality in downstream coastal zones.