IMPIANTO N O C DA CANALE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Campobello di Licata, Sicily

IMPIANTO N O C DA CANALE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Campobello di Licata, a town in the province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 6,500 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated in a rural area near the Fontana Canale watercourse. As a plant serving fewer than 10,000 people, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) requirements for smaller agglomerations. The directive mandates appropriate treatment, typically secondary treatment, for discharges into freshwater and estuaries. The plant discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The region's aquatic ecosystems include coastal wetlands and marine habitats that support diverse species. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in the receiving environment and downstream areas.

The plant discharges into the Fontana Canale watercourse, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the southern coast of Sicily. The coastal waters in this area support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. The watershed is part of the larger Mediterranean basin, which is ecologically sensitive due to its semi-enclosed nature and high biodiversity. Effective wastewater treatment helps prevent nutrient enrichment and pollution that could harm these ecosystems.