Cerrione Wastewater Treatment Plant, Magnonevolo, Piemonte, Italy

The Cerrione wastewater treatment plant is located in Magnonevolo, a frazione of Cerrione in the Biella province of Piemonte, Italy. It serves a population equivalent of 10,307, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU regulations. The plant is situated in the Po River basin, a major hydrological system in northern Italy. As an Italian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations between 2,000 and 10,000 population equivalent discharging into freshwater, and more stringent treatment for larger agglomerations or sensitive areas. For a population of 10,307, the directive mandates secondary treatment as a minimum, with potential tertiary treatment if the receiving water body is designated as sensitive. The treated effluent from the plant likely discharges into a tributary of the Po River, which flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea. The Po basin supports extensive agriculture and is ecologically significant, hosting diverse aquatic life and migratory fish species. The plant's operation contributes to protecting water quality in this important river system.

The Cerrione plant discharges into the Po River basin, which drains into the Adriatic Sea. The Po is Italy's longest river and supports a rich ecosystem, including wetlands and floodplain habitats that are critical for bird migration and fish spawning. The plant's treatment helps mitigate nutrient loading and pollution, preserving the ecological balance of this vital watershed.