RENDE_MENDICINO_LOC_SANTACROCE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Santa Sofia d'Epiro, Calabria

RENDE_MENDICINO_LOC_SANTACROCE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Santa Sofia d'Epiro, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,030 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 kilometers from the coast, and operates within the Calabria region. 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. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) and additional polishing steps, ensuring high-quality effluent. The designed capacity is 1,500 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 797.80 cubic meters per day, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Ionian Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the regional watershed and downstream aquatic ecosystems, including the coastal waters of the Ionian Sea. Its advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient loading and supports the ecological health of the receiving environment.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow toward the Ionian Sea, a semi-enclosed basin with sensitive marine ecosystems. The region's watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for fisheries and tourism. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient pollution, helping to prevent eutrophication in coastal waters and maintain water quality for downstream communities and habitats.