Impianto Consortile C. da Catalmo - Santa Teresa di Riva Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sicily

Impianto Consortile C. da Catalmo is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Santa Teresa di Riva, a town in the province of Messina, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 9,800 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under Italian and EU regulations. As a plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) requirements for secondary treatment, unless discharging into sensitive areas that may necessitate tertiary treatment. The designed capacity is recorded as 1.00, though the unit is unspecified; typical capacities for this population size range from 2,000 to 5,000 cubic meters per day. The plant discharges into the local watershed, likely the Torrente Agrò stream, which flows into the Ionian Sea near Santa Teresa di Riva. The Ionian Sea is a key marine ecosystem supporting diverse aquatic life and fisheries. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect coastal water quality and marine habitats.

The plant discharges into the Torrente Agrò, a coastal stream that flows into the Ionian Sea near Santa Teresa di Riva. The Ionian Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with significant ecological value, supporting diverse marine life and serving as a migratory corridor for species. The coastal zone is subject to tourism and fishing pressures, making proper wastewater treatment critical to prevent eutrophication and protect bathing water quality.