OVEST_CONCE_URB_DEP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Urbino, Italy

OVEST_CONCE_URB_DEP is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Urbino, in the Marche region of Italy. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,940 people and has a designed capacity of 2,300 cubic meters per day, with a reported discharge volume of 782.27 cubic meters. It is situated inland, more than 10 kilometers from the coast. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. Under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), Italy requires tertiary treatment for sensitive areas, and advanced treatment aligns with high environmental standards. The facility operates within Italy's national regulatory framework, which implements the directive through regional authorities. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that drain toward the Adriatic Sea. The plant plays a key role in protecting the Metauro River basin and the coastal waters of the Adriatic, supporting aquatic life and reducing nutrient loads that could cause eutrophication in the sea.

The plant discharges into the Metauro River basin, which flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea near Fano. The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with sensitive ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and fish nurseries. Advanced treatment helps reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads, mitigating eutrophication risks in coastal waters and supporting biodiversity in the river and marine environments.