Quartu S.E. Zone A Mare Loc Gene Sarda Wastewater Treatment Plant, Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia

Quartu S.E. Zone A Mare Loc Gene Sarda is a wastewater treatment facility located in Quartu Sant'Elena, a coastal town in the Sardinia region of Italy. The plant serves a small population of 400 residents, reflecting its role in a localized community within the metropolitan area of Cagliari. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for sensitive areas. It operates efficiently to manage the wastewater from its service area. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea, given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km). This discharge supports the local marine environment, which is part of the ecologically rich Gulf of Cagliari. The advanced treatment ensures minimal environmental impact on the surrounding waters.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Cagliari, a semi-enclosed basin that supports diverse marine life and seagrass meadows. The advanced treatment level helps protect this sensitive coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, maintaining water quality for both ecological and recreational uses.