ORDONA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ordona, Puglia, Italy

ORDONA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ordona, a town in the province of Foggia, Puglia, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,488 and operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive for agglomerations of this size. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,848.00 and a daily discharge volume of 298.00. As a secondary treatment facility, ORDONA provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, but within 50 km of the Adriatic Sea. Its operations are subject to Italian regulations implementing the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for inland plants serving populations between 2,000 and 10,000. The treated effluent from ORDONA is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Adriatic Sea. The surrounding region of Puglia is characterized by agricultural activity and a Mediterranean climate. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality and supporting the ecological health of downstream aquatic environments.

ORDONA's treated effluent flows into local streams and rivers within the Puglia region, ultimately reaching the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with sensitive ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and diverse marine life. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollutants, mitigating the risk of eutrophication in downstream waters. The local watershed supports agricultural irrigation and sustains biodiversity in the coastal zone.