CASALGRANDE_SALVATERRA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Casalgrande, Emilia-Romagna

The CASALGRANDE_SALVATERRA wastewater treatment plant is located in Salvaterra, a frazione of Casalgrande, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It serves a population of approximately 26,218, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. As an Italian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates more advanced treatment if the discharge enters sensitive areas, which are common in the Po River basin due to eutrophication concerns. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Secchia River, a tributary of the Po River. The Po River basin is a densely populated and agriculturally intensive region, making effective wastewater treatment critical for protecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems in the Adriatic Sea.

The plant discharges into the Secchia River, a right-bank tributary of the Po River, which flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea. The Po basin is Italy's largest watershed, supporting intensive agriculture and urban areas. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in the Adriatic, particularly in the Po Delta region, which is ecologically sensitive and supports diverse aquatic life.