Overview
Melendugno wastewater treatment plant serves San Foca, Puglia, Italy, with a population equivalent of 46,667. The facility operates under EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of th
The Melendugno wastewater treatment plant is located in San Foca, a coastal frazione of Melendugno in the province of Lecce, Puglia, Italy. Serving a population equivalent of 46,667, the plant is part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the area, which includes both residential and tourist populations along the Adriatic coast. As a medium-sized agglomeration (between 10,000 and 150,000 PE), the plant is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. This directive requires secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations of this size, with more stringent tertiary treatment if the receiving waters are designated as sensitive areas. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousands of cubic meters per day), indicating a facility sized to handle the local load. The treated effluent is discharged into the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed marine basin that is ecologically sensitive due to its limited water exchange and high biodiversity. The coastal waters near San Foca support seagrass meadows and marine habitats that are important for fisheries and tourism. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the local marine environment.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Adriatic Sea, a shallow, semi-enclosed basin with limited tidal exchange, making it vulnerable to nutrient accumulation and eutrophication. The coastal zone near San Foca features sandy beaches and rocky shores that support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to maintaining water quality for both ecological health and recreational use.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in San Foca, a coastal frazione of Melendugno in the province of Lecce, Puglia, Italy. The address is Strada Provinciale Melendugno - San Foca.
The plant serves a population equivalent of 46,667, covering both permanent residents and seasonal tourist populations in the San Foca area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Adriatic Sea. As a coastal plant, it must meet stringent treatment standards to protect the marine environment.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of 46,667 PE. If the receiving waters are sensitive, tertiary treatment may be required.
In Italy, plants serving 46,667 PE typically provide secondary biological treatment as a minimum. Many also include nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to meet standards for discharge into sensitive coastal waters like the Adriatic Sea.
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