Overview
Martina Franca wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 58,000 people in Puglia, Italy. The facility operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.
The Martina Franca wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, Puglia, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 58,333, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and its address is along Strada Statale 172 dei Trulli. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, agglomerations with a population equivalent between 10,000 and 150,000 are required to provide secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum. For plants in sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Ionian Sea via the surrounding watershed. The region of Puglia is characterized by karstic geology and Mediterranean climate, with seasonal rainfall patterns. The plant plays a key role in protecting local groundwater and surface water quality, supporting agricultural and ecological uses downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Ionian Sea, part of the Mediterranean basin. The surrounding watershed includes karstic aquifers and seasonal rivers that support diverse aquatic life and agricultural irrigation. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its Mediterranean climate and reliance on groundwater resources.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, Puglia, Italy, along Strada Statale 172 dei Trulli.
The plant serves approximately 58,333 people, classifying it as a medium agglomeration under EU regulations.
The plant treats wastewater that would otherwise affect local streams and groundwater in the Ionian Sea watershed, protecting downstream water quality.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, agglomerations of this size (10,000-150,000 PE) must provide secondary treatment, with tertiary treatment required if discharging into sensitive areas.
For medium agglomerations in Italy, secondary biological treatment is standard, often including activated sludge processes, with nutrient removal in sensitive catchments.
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