ZAGARISE_MASTRO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Zagarise, Calabria, Italy

ZAGARISE_MASTRO is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Zagarise, a town in the province of Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,233 and has a designed capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 640 cubic meters per day. As an advanced treatment facility, ZAGARISE_MASTRO goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, ensuring high-quality effluent. This aligns with the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which mandates advanced treatment for sensitive areas and agglomerations of this scale. The plant is located within 10 km of the coast, discharging treated wastewater into the Ionian Sea via local watercourses. The surrounding region features a Mediterranean climate and supports diverse aquatic life. The effluent contributes to the health of coastal waters, which are important for tourism and local fisheries.

The treated effluent from ZAGARISE_MASTRO ultimately reaches the Ionian Sea, a basin of the Mediterranean Sea. The local watershed includes small rivers and streams that drain the Calabrian Apennines. The coastal zone supports seagrass meadows and marine biodiversity, making proper treatment essential to prevent eutrophication and protect sensitive habitats.