Overview
PULSANO_VECCHIO wastewater treatment plant serves Pulsano, Puglia, Italy. It is located near the Ionian Sea coast and serves a population of about 18,933.
PULSANO_VECCHIO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Pulsano, a coastal town in the Puglia region of southern Italy. The facility serves a population of approximately 18,933 residents, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category under EU regulations. The plant is situated near the Ionian Sea, within 50 km of the coast, which influences its environmental management requirements. As an Italian plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, PULSANO_VECCHIO operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC. This directive requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters, with more stringent tertiary treatment if the receiving area is designated as sensitive. The treated effluent from PULSANO_VECCHIO ultimately discharges into the Ionian Sea, a part of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal waters in this area support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish populations. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect the ecological health of the marine environment, which is also important for local tourism and fisheries.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ionian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal zone near Pulsano features sandy beaches and rocky shores that support seagrass habitats and marine biodiversity. Effective wastewater treatment is critical to prevent eutrophication and protect the ecological balance of these sensitive coastal waters, which are also important for recreational use and local fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
PULSANO_VECCHIO is located in Pulsano, a coastal town in the Puglia region of southern Italy, near the Ionian Sea.
The plant serves approximately 18,933 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Ionian Sea, a part of the Mediterranean Sea, following treatment that meets EU standards for coastal discharges.
As an Italian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which mandates secondary treatment for coastal discharges and tertiary treatment in sensitive areas.
For medium agglomerations in Italy, secondary treatment is standard, with tertiary treatment required if the receiving water is designated as sensitive under the EU directive.
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