Castel San Giovanni Wastewater Treatment Plant | Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The Castel San Giovanni wastewater treatment plant is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, serving the town of Castel San Giovanni in the province of Piacenza. The facility manages municipal wastewater for a population of approximately 11,568 residents, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under EU classification. As a plant serving between 10,000 and 150,000 people, it is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard. For inland discharges in sensitive areas, more stringent treatment may be required. The plant's infrastructure is part of Italy's national wastewater management framework, overseen by regional environmental agencies. The treated effluent is discharged into the local hydrological network, which ultimately drains into the Po River basin. The Po River is Italy's longest river, flowing eastward into the Adriatic Sea. The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural land and the Po Valley's alluvial plain, making proper nutrient removal important for downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into the Po River basin, which flows through northern Italy and empties into the Adriatic Sea near Venice. The Po River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in the Adriatic, making effective treatment crucial for the health of this semi-enclosed sea.