LESINA_2_MARINA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Marina di Lesina, Puglia

LESINA_2_MARINA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Marina di Lesina, a coastal frazione of Lesina in the Puglia region of southern Italy. The plant serves a population equivalent of 4,714 and has a designed capacity of 20,000 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 933.21 m³/day. It is situated within 10 km of the Adriatic Sea, placing it in a sensitive coastal environment. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. For plants serving between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent, secondary treatment is mandatory, and discharges into coastal waters may require additional nutrient removal if the area is designated as sensitive. The plant's capacity utilization appears low, suggesting it may be designed for seasonal tourist flows common in Adriatic coastal towns. The treated effluent is discharged into the Adriatic Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean basin. The local coastal zone supports diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. The nearby Lesina Lagoon, a coastal lagoon of ecological importance, is also influenced by the area's hydrology. Proper treatment helps protect these sensitive ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.

The plant discharges into the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin of the Mediterranean. The coastal waters near Marina di Lesina support seagrass meadows and are important for local fisheries. The nearby Lesina Lagoon is a shallow coastal lagoon that provides critical habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species. Nutrient loading from wastewater could contribute to eutrophication in these sensitive environments, making secondary treatment with potential nutrient removal important for ecological health.