San Francesco d'Aglientu Rena Majore Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sardinia

San Francesco d'Aglientu Rena Majore is a wastewater treatment plant located in Rena Majore, a locality in the municipality of Aglientu, in the Gallura region of northeastern Sardinia, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,114 people and is situated near the coast, reflecting the area's touristic and residential character. 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 4,085 cubic meters per day and a reported discharge volume of 814.43 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well within its capacity, ensuring effective treatment of wastewater from the local community. The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the marine environment and the nearby beaches, which are important for tourism and local biodiversity. Its advanced treatment level helps minimize nutrient and pollutant loads, supporting the ecological health of the coastal zone.

The plant discharges into the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea, which is a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient pollution. The coastal area around Rena Majore features rocky shores and sandy beaches that support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Advanced treatment reduces the risk of eutrophication and protects the ecological integrity of this coastal environment.