Quartu S.E. Zone A Mare Marina Residence Wastewater Treatment Plant, Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia

Quartu S.E. Zone A Mare Marina Residence is a wastewater treatment plant located in Quartu Sant'Elena, on the island of Sardinia, Italy. The facility serves a small population of 110 residents and has a designed capacity of 800 cubic meters per day, indicating it is sized for seasonal or peak flows typical of coastal tourist areas. 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. This level of treatment is appropriate for a coastal facility, as it reduces nutrients and pathogens before discharge, protecting the marine environment. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea, as it is located within 10 kilometers of the coast. The local watershed drains into the Gulf of Cagliari, a semi-enclosed basin that supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. Advanced treatment helps minimize eutrophication risks in this coastal zone.

The plant discharges into the Mediterranean Sea via the Gulf of Cagliari, a coastal embayment on the southern coast of Sardinia. The gulf supports seagrass meadows and nursery habitats for fish, making it ecologically sensitive. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in this marine ecosystem.