Marina di Ravenna Wastewater Treatment Plant: Coastal Facility in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The Marina di Ravenna wastewater treatment plant is situated in Punta Marina Terme, a coastal frazione of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 34,530 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU directives. Its location near the Adriatic Sea places it in a sensitive coastal environment. As an Italian wastewater facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating a moderate scale. Compliance with national regulations ensures appropriate treatment for the population served. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin that supports diverse marine life and is important for tourism and fisheries. The surrounding area includes the Po Delta to the north, a ecologically significant wetland complex. Proper treatment is essential to protect coastal water quality and the regional marine ecosystem.

The plant discharges into the Adriatic Sea, a shallow arm of the Mediterranean Sea that receives freshwater from the Po River and other northern Italian rivers. The coastal waters near Ravenna support seagrass meadows and fish nurseries, making nutrient management critical to prevent eutrophication. The region's flat terrain and intensive agriculture contribute to nutrient runoff, so the plant's treatment performance directly affects local marine biodiversity and bathing water quality.