Overview
CASTELSARACENO_CANAL_DI_FORA is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving Castelsaraceno, Basilicata, Italy. It treats wastewater for approximately 1,750 residents with a designed capacity of 2,000 cubic meters per day.
CASTELSARACENO_CANAL_DI_FORA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Castelsaraceno, a town in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The plant serves a population of about 1,750 people, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for a small inland community. It is situated along Strada Provinciale 36 dell'Armizzone, within the province of Potenza. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. With a designed capacity of 2,000 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 346.44 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treatment process involves biological degradation of organic matter, followed by sedimentation to remove solids. The treated effluent is discharged into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Ionian Sea via the Sinni River basin. The plant's operation helps protect the downstream aquatic environment from nutrient pollution and pathogens, supporting water quality in the region's rivers and coastal areas. As part of Italy's wastewater infrastructure, it contributes to compliance with national and EU environmental standards.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Sinni River, which ultimately reaches the Ionian Sea. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional biodiversity. The secondary treatment reduces organic load and suspended solids, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream waters. The plant's inland location (over 10 km from the coast) means its effluent travels through freshwater systems before reaching the sea, where nutrient impacts can affect coastal ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Strada Provinciale 36 dell'Armizzone in Castelsaraceno, in the province of Potenza, Basilicata, Italy.
The plant serves approximately 1,750 residents of Castelsaraceno and surrounding areas.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to break down organic matter and remove solids before discharge.
Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), plants serving agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent are required to provide secondary treatment. Although this plant serves 1,750 people, it meets the secondary treatment standard, ensuring compliance with EU norms for smaller communities.
The plant has a designed capacity of 2,000 cubic meters per day, with current discharge averaging 346.44 cubic meters per day, indicating significant spare capacity.
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