NOVAFELTRIA Wastewater Treatment Plant, Maiolo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The NOVAFELTRIA wastewater treatment plant is located in Maiolo, within the Unione di comuni Valmarecchia in the Rimini province of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The plant serves a population of about 6,184, placing it in the small agglomeration category under EU classification. As an Italian plant, NOVAFELTRIA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 volume units, and it is expected to meet the directive's standards for organic matter and suspended solids removal. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local water system, which ultimately drains into the Adriatic Sea via the Marecchia River basin. This coastal region supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological area for migratory species.

The treated effluent from NOVAFELTRIA flows into the Marecchia River, which runs through the Valmarecchia valley and empties into the Adriatic Sea near Rimini. The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with sensitive coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and fish nursery areas. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge contributes to the nutrient load in a region already affected by agricultural and urban runoff, making effective treatment critical for protecting marine water quality.