Impianto Mollerino Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rodì, Sicily

Impianto Mollerino is a wastewater treatment plant located in Rodì, a town in the province of Messina, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 910 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 discharges into freshwater and estuaries. With a designed capacity of 1000 m³/day and a daily discharge volume of 180.15 m³, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can affect coastal water quality, making effective treatment essential for protecting marine ecosystems and supporting local tourism and fisheries.

The plant discharges into the Tyrrhenian Sea via local streams and drainage channels. The coastal waters of northeastern Sicily support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Proper wastewater treatment is critical to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the ecological balance of this Mediterranean coastal zone.