Montescaglioso Cda Bernalda Wastewater Treatment Plant, Montescaglioso, Basilicata

Montescaglioso Cda Bernalda is a wastewater treatment plant located in Montescaglioso, a town in the province of Matera, Basilicata, Italy. The plant serves a small population of 283 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small community setting. It operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection and treatment of wastewater. The plant provides secondary treatment, a biological process that significantly reduces organic matter and suspended solids. With a design capacity of 4,000 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 56.02 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal variations. Secondary treatment typically involves activated sludge or similar biological systems. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or river within the Bradano or Basento basin, which flows into the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea. This coastal discharge area supports diverse marine life and is part of a region known for its ecological sensitivity. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality and the coastal environment.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that drains into the Ionian Sea via the Bradano or Basento river system. The downstream area includes the Gulf of Taranto, a semi-enclosed basin with important fisheries and marine biodiversity. The region's Mediterranean climate and agricultural land use mean that nutrient management is critical to prevent eutrophication in coastal waters.