IDL_CHIESINA_CAPOLUOGO Wastewater Treatment Plant, Altopascio, Tuscany

IDL_CHIESINA_CAPOLUOGO is a wastewater treatment plant located in the municipality of Altopascio, in the province of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. The plant serves a population of about 2,800, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Italian and EU regulations. It operates under the framework of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for collection and treatment of urban wastewater. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum required for discharges into freshwater and estuaries under the directive. With a designed capacity of 4,200 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 554.1 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating potential for future growth or seasonal variations. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Arno River basin, which flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of the surrounding environment, including the nearby wetlands and agricultural areas. Its operation helps prevent nutrient pollution and supports the ecological health of the downstream water bodies.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Arno River basin, one of Italy's major river systems. The Arno flows through Tuscany and empties into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Pisa. The downstream environment includes ecologically sensitive areas such as the Padule di Fucecchio, a large inland marsh that supports diverse birdlife and aquatic species. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality in these habitats.