Overview
IMPIANTO CDA LUSIA CONSORZIO A S I is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. It treats wastewater for 41,400 people with a designed capacity of 59,400 m³/day.
IMPIANTO CDA LUSIA CONSORZIO A S I is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. It serves a population of 41,400, placing it within the medium agglomeration category under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant is situated near the coast, within 10 km of the Mediterranean Sea. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU directive for agglomerations of this size discharging into coastal waters. The designed capacity is 59,400 m³/day, with an actual discharge volume of 0.07 million m³/year, indicating substantial unused capacity. As an Italian facility, it operates under national regulations implementing the EU directive, with oversight from regional environmental authorities in Sicily. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, which is a sensitive marine environment. The plant plays a key role in protecting coastal water quality and supporting the local tourism and fishing industries. Its proximity to the coast necessitates careful management to prevent eutrophication and maintain bathing water standards.
Environmental context
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea near Ragusa, Sicily. The local watershed drains into the Ionian Sea, a basin that supports diverse marine life and is important for fisheries and tourism. The coastal zone is ecologically sensitive, with seagrass meadows and rocky reefs that require protection from nutrient pollution. Effective secondary treatment helps reduce the risk of eutrophication and maintains water quality for recreational use.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Ragusa, Sicily, Italy, near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
The plant serves a population of 41,400 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, as the plant is within 10 km of the coast.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for discharges into coastal waters from agglomerations of this size.
Under the EU directive (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent over 15,000 must have secondary treatment. For discharges into sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required. Since this plant discharges into coastal waters, secondary treatment is appropriate.
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