STORNARELLA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Stornarella, Puglia, Italy

The STORNARELLA wastewater treatment plant is located in Stornarella, a town in the province of Foggia, Puglia, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 5,247 residents, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and European wastewater regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 kilometers from the coast, but within 50 kilometers of the Adriatic Sea. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids. This level of treatment meets the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size in non-sensitive areas. The plant has a designed capacity of 7,823 cubic meters per day and currently discharges 737 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent is released into local watercourses that drain toward the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the region's water quality, particularly the downstream ecosystems of the Ofanto River basin and the coastal waters of the Gulf of Manfredonia. By ensuring proper treatment, the facility helps maintain the ecological health of these water bodies.

The STORNARELLA plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Ofanto River, which then empties into the Gulf of Manfredonia in the Adriatic Sea. This coastal area supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries. The plant's secondary treatment reduces organic pollution and nutrient loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in the sensitive coastal zone.