Matera Borgo Venusio Wastewater Treatment Plant - Matera, Basilicata, Italy

The MATERA_BORGO_VENUSIO wastewater treatment plant is situated in the Borgo Venusio area of Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. It serves a small population of 100 people, reflecting its role as a local facility for a rural or suburban community. The plant operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection and treatment based on agglomeration size. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the EU directive's requirements for agglomerations under 2,000 population equivalent. The plant has a designed capacity of 900 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 19.80 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity. Secondary treatment typically involves activated sludge or similar biological processes. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ionian Sea via the Bradano River basin. The Basilicata region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The plant's location inland, more than 10 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact, but the receiving water bodies support local agriculture and ecosystems. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in this semi-arid region where water resources are valuable.

The plant discharges into the Bradano River basin, which flows eastward into the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea. This watershed supports agricultural irrigation and local biodiversity, including fish and bird species. The region's Mediterranean climate means seasonal water scarcity, making treated wastewater reuse a potential benefit for downstream communities and ecosystems.