IMPIANTO VALLONE CAVA - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Mazzarrone, Sicily

IMPIANTO VALLONE CAVA is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Piano Chiesa, Mazzarrone, in the province of Catania, Sicily, Italy. The plant serves a population of 3,750 and has a designed capacity of 5,000 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 742.37 m³/day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. As an Italian facility, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires appropriate treatment for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment is typically mandated for sensitive areas or where effluent is discharged into water bodies prone to eutrophication. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ionian Sea via the Dirillo River or other nearby watercourses. The region's Mediterranean climate and agricultural activities make effective wastewater treatment crucial for protecting downstream ecosystems and groundwater resources.

The plant discharges into the drainage basin of the Dirillo River, which flows into the Ionian Sea near the Gulf of Gela. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries. The advanced treatment helps prevent nutrient enrichment and pollution in the river and coastal waters, safeguarding aquatic habitats and recreational uses.