Overview
LAVA_MEZZINA_OFF_DEP is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving Offida, Marche, Italy. It treats wastewater for about 3,261 people with a designed capacity of 3,250 m³/day and an average discharge of 752.19 m³/day.
LAVA_MEZZINA_OFF_DEP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Contrada Lava area of Offida, in the Marche region of central Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,261 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the Adriatic coast, and operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU directive for inland freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 3,250 m³/day and an average daily discharge volume of 752.19 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Adriatic Sea via the Tronto River basin. The Marche region is characterized by hilly terrain and a Mediterranean climate, with agriculture and small-scale industries contributing to the local economy. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the downstream environment, supporting aquatic life and preventing eutrophication in the Adriatic coastal zone.
Environmental context
The treated wastewater from LAVA_MEZZINA_OFF_DEP is discharged into a local stream that flows into the Tronto River, which empties into the Adriatic Sea near San Benedetto del Tronto. The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient inputs that can cause algal blooms and hypoxia. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, protecting the riverine and marine ecosystems. The surrounding area includes agricultural land and small settlements, so the plant also safeguards local groundwater and surface water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Contrada Lava, in the municipality of Offida, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, Marche region, Italy.
The plant serves approximately 3,261 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater regulations.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that flows into the Tronto River, which ultimately reaches the Adriatic Sea.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for inland discharges from agglomerations of this size.
As a small agglomeration in Italy, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates secondary treatment for inland freshwater discharges. Italian authorities enforce compliance through regional environmental agencies.
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