RENDE_SANTA_LUCIA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Plataci, Calabria

RENDE_SANTA_LUCIA is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Plataci, a town in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,000 residents, reflecting its role in managing municipal wastewater for this small community in southern Italy. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 2,500 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 395.93 m³/day, the facility operates well within its capacity. As an Italian plant, it falls under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment levels based on the sensitivity of receiving waters and population size. The plant is located within 10 km of the coast, meaning its treated effluent likely discharges into a watercourse that flows into the Ionian Sea. This coastal proximity necessitates advanced treatment to protect marine water quality and sensitive coastal ecosystems. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, supporting the ecological health of downstream waters.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that drains into the Ionian Sea, a key marine environment in the Mediterranean. The coastal waters of Calabria support diverse aquatic life, including seagrass meadows and fish populations. Advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient and pollutant inputs, protecting these sensitive marine habitats from eutrophication and contamination.