Porto Rotondo Punta Nuraghe Olbia Wastewater Treatment Plant, Olbia, Sardinia

Porto Rotondo Punta Nuraghe Olbia is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Olbia, in the Gallura region of northeastern Sardinia, Italy. The facility serves a small population of approximately 1,500 residents, reflecting its role in a coastal tourist area. It is situated near the coast, within 10 kilometers of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. Its designed capacity is 1,500 cubic meters per day, and it currently discharges an average of 296.95 cubic meters per day. As an Italian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires advanced treatment for discharges into sensitive areas, such as coastal zones. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, which supports diverse marine life and is an important ecological and tourism resource for Sardinia. The plant helps protect the local marine environment from nutrient pollution and pathogens, contributing to the health of the Mediterranean Sea.

The plant discharges into the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, which is a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange. The coastal waters near Olbia support seagrass meadows and marine habitats that are sensitive to nutrient enrichment. Advanced treatment helps reduce the risk of eutrophication and protects the ecological balance of this coastal zone.