CERES Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ceres, Piemonte, Italy

The CERES wastewater treatment plant is located in Ceres, a municipality in the Piemonte region of Italy, within the Unione Montana di Comuni delle Valli di Lanzo, Ceronda e Casternone. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,438 people, reflecting its role in a small alpine community. As part of Italy's wastewater infrastructure, it 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. Operated as a municipal facility, the plant has a designed capacity of 8,000 m³/day and currently discharges an average of 800 m³/day of treated effluent. The treatment process involves secondary biological treatment, ensuring that organic pollutants are reduced before discharge. The plant's capacity utilization is low, indicating it is designed to handle peak flows or future growth. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Po River basin. The Po River is Italy's longest river and flows into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural activities. The plant's location in the alpine region means it protects sensitive mountain streams and downstream water quality in the Po Valley.

The CERES plant discharges into the local tributaries of the Po River basin, which flows through northern Italy into the Adriatic Sea. The alpine watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting cold-water fish species and diverse macroinvertebrate communities. Downstream, the Po River sustains extensive agriculture and wetlands, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.