QUARTU S E ZONE A MARE STELLA DI MARE 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant, Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia

QUARTU S E ZONE A MARE STELLA DI MARE 1 is a wastewater treatment plant located in Quartu Sant'Elena, on the island of Sardinia, Italy. It serves a small population of 500 people, reflecting its role in a local community within the metropolitan area of Cagliari. The plant is situated near the coast, less than 10 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. 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 agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 500 cubic meters per day and a discharge volume of approximately 99 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. The advanced treatment ensures high-quality effluent, reducing environmental impact on the receiving waters. The treated wastewater is discharged into the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea, specifically near the Gulf of Cagliari. This area supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the sensitive coastal ecosystem from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, contributing to the overall health of the Sardinian marine environment.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Cagliari, a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange. The coastal waters support seagrass meadows and diverse marine fauna, making them ecologically sensitive. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication and protect the local marine ecosystem, which is also important for tourism and fishing.