PESCHICI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Peschici, Puglia, Italy

The PESCHICI wastewater treatment plant is located in Peschici, a coastal town in the Puglia region of southeastern Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,418 residents and is situated near the Adriatic Sea, reflecting the area's touristic and coastal character. 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 of this size. With a designed capacity of 18,000 m³/day, the facility is sized to accommodate seasonal population fluctuations typical of coastal tourist destinations. The plant's discharge volume is 790 m³/day, indicating operational capacity well within its design limits. Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into the local environment, ultimately reaching the Adriatic Sea. The coastal waters of the Gargano Peninsula, where Peschici is located, support diverse marine life and are important for local fisheries and tourism. Proper treatment helps protect bathing water quality and the ecological health of the Adriatic coastal zone.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Adriatic Sea via local drainage. The Gargano Peninsula's coastal waters are ecologically sensitive, supporting seagrass meadows and diverse marine species. As a tourist destination, maintaining high water quality is essential for both environmental health and recreational use. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, mitigating eutrophication risks in the Adriatic Sea.