Overview
Santa Margherita di Pula Condominio Calaverde is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Pula, Sardinia, Italy. It serves 1,500 people and discharges treated water near the coast.
Santa Margherita di Pula Condominio Calaverde is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Pula, on the southern coast of Sardinia, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,500 people, primarily from the Condominio Calaverde area and nearby Forte Village resort. Its location along Strada Statale 195 Sulcitana places it in a coastal tourist region with seasonal population fluctuations. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 1,500 cubic meters per day and a discharge volume of 296.95 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well within its capacity, ensuring effective treatment even during peak tourist seasons. The plant is situated within 10 kilometers of the coast, necessitating stringent treatment to protect marine waters. The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall, contributing to the protection of the nearby Gulf of Cagliari and the broader Sardinian coastal ecosystem. This region supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and other pollutants, safeguarding water quality in this ecologically sensitive coastal area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Mediterranean Sea near the Gulf of Cagliari, a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange. The coastal waters support seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) and diverse marine fauna, making nutrient and pollutant control critical. Advanced treatment reduces the risk of eutrophication and protects the ecological integrity of this tourist-dependent region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Strada Statale 195 Sulcitana in the Forte Village area of Pula, in the province of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.
The plant serves a population of approximately 1,500 people, primarily from the Condominio Calaverde residential area and the nearby Forte Village resort.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, likely via a marine outfall, given the plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km).
Under the EU UWWTD (91/271/EEC), agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) between 2,000 and 10,000 require secondary treatment. Although this plant serves 1,500 people, it employs advanced treatment, exceeding the directive's minimum requirements and providing enhanced protection for the sensitive coastal environment.
In Italy, small agglomerations (under 2,000 PE) are often served by septic tanks or small-scale treatment plants. However, due to the coastal location and tourist activity, this plant uses advanced treatment to meet stringent discharge standards and protect marine water quality.
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