SIMERI_CRICHI_GRECIA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Simeri, Calabria, Italy

SIMERI_CRICHI_GRECIA is a wastewater treatment plant located in Simeri, within the municipality of Simeri Crichi, in the province of Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 600 people and is situated in a coastal area of southern Italy. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for discharges into coastal waters. With a designed capacity of 1000 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of about 118.78 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating it is sized for future growth or seasonal peaks. The treated effluent is discharged into the local environment, likely into a watercourse or directly into the Ionian Sea, given the plant's proximity to the coast. The receiving waters support diverse marine life and are part of the broader Mediterranean ecosystem, which is sensitive to nutrient inputs. Proper treatment helps protect coastal water quality and marine habitats.

The plant discharges into a coastal area of the Ionian Sea, part of the Mediterranean basin. The local watershed includes small streams draining the Calabrian hills, which flow into the sea. The coastal zone supports seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity, making nutrient management critical to prevent eutrophication. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic load and suspended solids, aligning with EU standards for sensitive coastal areas.