Ariano Irpino Impianto Cerreto Wastewater Treatment Plant, Campania, Italy

The Ariano Irpino Impianto Cerreto is a wastewater treatment plant located in Ariano Irpino, in the province of Avellino, Campania, Italy. It serves a small population of 250 people, reflecting its role in a rural or small-town setting. The plant is part of Italy's municipal wastewater infrastructure, which is regulated under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the EU UWWTD for freshwater discharges from agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 650 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 49.49 m³/day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating it is sized for potential future growth or seasonal peaks. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Adriatic Sea via the Ofanto River basin. The surrounding area is characterized by hilly terrain and agricultural land, and the plant helps protect local water quality and downstream ecosystems from untreated sewage.

The plant discharges into the local watershed, part of the Ofanto River basin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory birds. The secondary treatment provided helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, protecting the river and coastal waters from eutrophication and other ecological impacts.