Overview
MELISSA_UMBRO is a secondary wastewater treatment plant in Melissa, Calabria, Italy, serving approximately 1,000 people. It discharges treated effluent near the Ionian Sea coast.
MELISSA_UMBRO is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Melissa, a town in the province of Crotone, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of around 1,000 residents, reflecting a small agglomeration typical of rural coastal communities in southern Italy. Its location near the Ionian Sea places it within a region characterized by Mediterranean climate and tourism-driven seasonal population fluctuations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for discharges into coastal waters. With a designed capacity of 2,000 cubic meters per day and an average daily flow of approximately 198 cubic meters, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal demand. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Ionian Sea. This coastal discharge must comply with Italian regulations implementing the EU directive, which require secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant plays a key role in protecting the coastal waters of the Gulf of Taranto and the broader Ionian Sea, which support diverse marine life and are important for local fisheries and tourism.
Environmental context
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Ionian Sea via local watercourses. The Ionian Sea is a deep basin connecting to the Mediterranean, supporting diverse marine ecosystems including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Coastal waters near Melissa are used for recreation and fishing, making effective treatment essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and pathogen contamination. The region's seasonal tourism increases wastewater loads, requiring robust treatment to maintain water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Melissa, a town in the province of Crotone, Calabria, Italy. Its address is Melissa, Crotone, Calabria, 88814, Italia.
The plant serves approximately 1,000 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local watercourses that flow into the Ionian Sea. Being within 10 km of the coast, the discharge is subject to stringent regulations to protect coastal water quality.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for discharges into coastal waters from agglomerations of this size.
The plant operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small coastal agglomerations, secondary treatment is mandatory, and permits are issued by regional environmental authorities to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
Nearby plants