Overview
Impianto S. Maria di Focallorio Favara is a secondary treatment plant in Ispica, Sicily, serving 480 people. It discharges treated wastewater near the coast, operating under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Impianto S. Maria di Focallorio Favara is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ispica, a town in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a small population of 480 residents and provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size. Its location near the coast places it in a sensitive area where treatment standards are crucial for protecting marine environments. The plant has a designed capacity of 8,489 cubic meters per day and currently discharges an average volume of 95.02 cubic meters per day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Italy's regulatory framework, based on the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, mandates secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2,000, and more stringent requirements for sensitive areas. Although the plant serves fewer than 2,000 people, its coastal location likely subjects it to additional oversight to prevent nutrient pollution. The treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Ionian Sea near the southeastern coast of Sicily. This coastal region supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant's operation helps protect the water quality of the nearby beaches and marine habitats from untreated sewage, contributing to the ecological health of the Mediterranean Sea.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the local drainage network that flows into the Ionian Sea, a part of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal waters near Ispica support seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity, and are used for recreation and fishing. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect these sensitive marine ecosystems from nutrient and pathogen pollution.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Via Zecchino, Ispica, in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy.
The plant serves a population of 480 people.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the local water system, which eventually flows into the Ionian Sea near the southeastern coast of Sicily.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
Italy implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations above 2,000 population equivalent. Although this plant serves fewer than 2,000 people, its coastal location likely subjects it to additional requirements to protect the marine environment.
Nearby plants