TAURISANO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Taurisano, Puglia, Italy

The TAURISANO wastewater treatment plant is located in Taurisano, a town in the Lecce province of Puglia, Italy. It serves a population of approximately 7,276 people and is designed to handle a capacity of 13,000 m³/day, with a current discharge volume of 989 m³/day. The plant operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. As a secondary treatment facility, TAURISANO employs biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the EU standards for discharge into sensitive areas. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its effluent must comply with stringent regulations to protect marine ecosystems. Italy's regulatory framework, enforced by regional environmental agencies, ensures regular monitoring and compliance with permit conditions. The treated wastewater from TAURISANO is discharged into the Ionian Sea via local watercourses. The coastal waters of Puglia support diverse marine life, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries, making proper treatment essential. The plant plays a key role in safeguarding the region's coastal water quality and supporting tourism and fisheries.

The TAURISANO plant discharges treated wastewater into the Ionian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal area is ecologically sensitive, supporting seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) and diverse marine species. Proper treatment is critical to prevent nutrient pollution and protect the region's tourism and fishing industries.