Rimini S. Giustina Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rimini, Italy

Rimini S. Giustina is a major wastewater treatment plant located in Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, serving a population of over 220,000. Situated near the Adriatic coast, the plant plays a critical role in managing municipal wastewater from this densely populated tourist destination. As a large agglomeration under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), the plant is required to provide at least secondary treatment, with more stringent tertiary treatment likely needed due to the sensitive coastal environment. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in cubic meters per day or similar unit), indicating a substantial infrastructure to handle peak tourist flows. The treated effluent is discharged into the Adriatic Sea via local watercourses, impacting the coastal ecosystem. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 50 km) and the sensitive marine environment necessitate advanced treatment to protect bathing waters and marine life, which are vital for tourism and biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. The local watershed includes the Marecchia River and other coastal streams that drain into the Adriatic. This area supports diverse marine life and is an important tourist destination, requiring high water quality standards to prevent eutrophication and protect bathing waters.