MORES_LOC_ARZOLAS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mores, Sardinia

MORES_LOC_ARZOLAS is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Mores, a town in the province of Sassari on the island of Sardinia, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,500 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. Its advanced treatment level ensures high-quality effluent suitable for discharge into sensitive inland environments. The plant operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment as a minimum for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment goes beyond secondary to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which is particularly important in areas with sensitive receiving waters. The designed capacity of 4,500 cubic meters per day matches the population served, indicating appropriate sizing for the community's needs. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain into the Mediterranean Sea. Sardinia's inland waters and coastal zones support diverse aquatic life and are important for agriculture and tourism. By employing advanced treatment, the plant helps protect downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and maintains water quality for recreational and economic uses.

The plant discharges into inland streams that flow toward the Mediterranean Sea, specifically the Gulf of Asinara or the Tyrrhenian Sea depending on the local watershed. Sardinia's rivers and coastal waters support diverse aquatic ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream coastal waters.