POGGIORSINI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Poggiorsini, Puglia, Italy

The POGGIORSINI wastewater treatment plant is located in the municipality of Poggiorsini, in the province of Bari, within the Puglia region of southern Italy. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,212 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. The plant is situated inland, more than 10 kilometers from the coast, and discharges treated wastewater into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Adriatic Sea. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The designed capacity of the plant is 2,000 cubic meters per day, and the current discharge volume is 152 cubic meters per day, indicating operational capacity well within design limits. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the local drainage network, which flows into the Adriatic Sea via the Ofanto River basin. The region's Mediterranean climate and agricultural activities in the surrounding area make proper wastewater treatment essential for protecting downstream water quality and supporting local ecosystems. The plant's operation contributes to the environmental health of the Adriatic coastal zone, which supports diverse marine life and tourism.

The plant discharges into the Ofanto River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Manfredonia in the Adriatic Sea. The downstream environment includes coastal wetlands and marine habitats that support migratory birds and fish species. Proper treatment is critical to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the ecological balance of the Adriatic coastal waters.