DP01803301_CASEI_GEROLA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Casei Gerola, Lombardy, Italy

DP01803301_CASEI_GEROLA is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Casei Gerola, a municipality in the province of Pavia, Lombardy, Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,573 people and has a designed capacity of 2,700 m³/day, with an actual discharge volume of 509.36 m³/day. It is situated inland, more than 50 km from the coast, and treats wastewater from the local community. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. This level of treatment is typical for plants discharging into sensitive areas under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Italy implements this directive through national regulations, requiring advanced treatment for agglomerations above 10,000 population equivalent in sensitive catchments. Although the plant serves a smaller population, its advanced treatment indicates a commitment to high effluent quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Po River basin, one of Italy's most significant watersheds. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and agricultural irrigation. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and the ecological health of the Po River and its delta.

The plant discharges into the Po River basin, which drains the Po Valley and flows into the Adriatic Sea. The Po River is Italy's longest river and supports extensive agriculture, industry, and biodiversity. The lower Po Delta is a critical habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient loading, helping to mitigate eutrophication risks in the Adriatic Sea, which is sensitive to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.