OPPIDO CDA MEDICA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Oppido Lucano, Basilicata

OPPIDO CDA MEDICA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Oppido Lucano, a town in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The plant serves a small population of around 500 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small-town setting. It is situated along Strada Statale 169 di Genzano, within the province of Potenza. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000. Although the population served here is below that threshold, the plant's design capacity of 600 m³/day suggests it is sized to handle peak flows and potential future growth. The actual discharge volume is reported as 98.98 m³/day, indicating a utilization rate well below capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Ionian Sea via the Bradano River basin. The plant's inland location, more than 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact. The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural land and small settlements, making the plant's role in protecting local water quality important for both human use and ecosystem health.

The plant discharges into the Bradano River basin, which flows eastward into the Ionian Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is used for irrigation in the agricultural region of Basilicata. The secondary treatment process reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in the river and downstream coastal waters. The area is not within a designated sensitive zone under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, but the plant's operation contributes to the overall health of the Bradano River ecosystem.