Overview
Terranova da Sibari Varco di Lupo is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Calabria, Italy, serving about 1,225 people. It discharges 242.51 m³/day of treated effluent and is located within 10 km of the coast.
Terranova da Sibari Varco di Lupo is a wastewater treatment plant located in Terranova da Sibari, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,225 and has a designed capacity of 1,500 m³/day, with an average discharge volume of 242.51 m³/day. As an advanced treatment facility, it provides a higher level of pollutant removal than secondary treatment. The plant operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires appropriate treatment for agglomerations of this size. The advanced treatment level indicates the plant likely employs nutrient removal or other tertiary processes to protect sensitive receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that flow toward the Ionian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal location within 10 km of the shoreline means the plant's discharge can influence nearshore water quality and marine ecosystems. Calabria's coastal waters support diverse marine life and are important for tourism and fisheries.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into small streams that drain into the Ionian Sea near the Gulf of Taranto. This coastal area supports seagrass meadows and nursery habitats for fish and crustaceans. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, which is critical to prevent eutrophication in the shallow coastal waters. The Ionian Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to pollution from land-based sources.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Terranova da Sibari, in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy. It is situated within 10 km of the Ionian Sea coast.
The plant serves approximately 1,225 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under EU wastewater directives.
The plant discharges treated effluent at an average volume of 242.51 m³/day into local watercourses that flow into the Ionian Sea. The advanced treatment level ensures high-quality effluent before discharge.
The plant protects small coastal streams and the nearshore waters of the Ionian Sea by removing pollutants through advanced treatment, reducing the risk of eutrophication and safeguarding aquatic life.
The plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into Italian law. For small agglomerations like this, the directive requires appropriate treatment, and the plant's advanced level exceeds the minimum secondary treatment standard.
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