CAORSO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fossadello, Emilia-Romagna

CAORSO is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Fossadello, near Caorso in the province of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The plant serves a population of 3,842 and is part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. As an advanced treatment facility, CAORSO goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants, ensuring high-quality effluent. The plant has a designed capacity of 5,000 m³/day and currently discharges 650.06 m³/day, indicating it operates well below its capacity. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), Italy requires appropriate treatment for agglomerations of this size, and advanced treatment is typically mandated for sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Po River basin. The Po River is the longest river in Italy and flows into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agriculture and industry. The advanced treatment helps protect the Po River ecosystem and downstream coastal waters.

The plant discharges into the Po River basin, which flows eastward through northern Italy to the Adriatic Sea. The Po River supports a rich ecosystem, including fish species such as sturgeon and eel, and its delta is an important migratory corridor for birds. Advanced treatment at CAORSO helps reduce nutrient loads that could otherwise contribute to eutrophication in the Adriatic Sea.