San Giorgio Albanese Copacchio Wastewater Treatment Plant, Calabria, Italy

San Giorgio Albanese Copacchio is a wastewater treatment plant located in San Giorgio Albanese, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,100 and operates with advanced treatment processes, ensuring high-quality effluent before discharge. As an advanced treatment facility, it goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, meeting stringent standards under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). The plant has a designed capacity of 1,500 m³/day and currently discharges 415.73 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. The plant is situated within 10 km of the Ionian Sea coast, making its discharge location environmentally sensitive. Treated effluent likely flows into local streams or directly into the sea, affecting coastal water quality and marine ecosystems. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Calabrian coastline and supporting local biodiversity.

The plant discharges into the Ionian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal waters near San Giorgio Albanese support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, reducing the risk of eutrophication and protecting the sensitive coastal ecosystem.