QUARTU S E ZONE A MARE LOC IS MERIS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia

QUARTU S E ZONE A MARE LOC IS MERIS is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in the Is Meris area of Quartu Sant'Elena, in the Sardinia region of Italy. The plant serves a small population of 400 people, reflecting its role in a localized community within the metropolitan area of Cagliari. Its designed capacity is 400 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 79.19 cubic meters per day. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. This level of treatment is typical for plants discharging into sensitive environments, such as coastal areas. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), advanced treatment is required for discharges into sensitive areas, which includes many coastal zones in Sardinia. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea near Quartu Sant'Elena. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge directly influences the marine environment. The surrounding waters support diverse aquatic life and are important for local tourism and fisheries. Proper treatment helps protect water quality and ecosystem health in this coastal region.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea near Quartu Sant'Elena, on the southern coast of Sardinia. The coastal waters are part of the Cagliari Gulf, which supports seagrass meadows and diverse marine species. The area is ecologically sensitive, with nutrient inputs potentially affecting water quality and marine habitats. Advanced treatment helps minimize eutrophication risks and protects the local marine ecosystem.