PASTENELLE Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cervaro, Lazio, Italy

PASTENELLE is a wastewater treatment plant located in Cervaro, a town in the Lazio region of central Italy. The plant serves a population of 2,425, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Italian and EU regulations. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, but within 50 km of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) to protect sensitive water bodies. The plant's designed capacity is 2,500 m³/day, and it currently discharges an average of 480.06 m³/day, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent from PASTENELLE likely discharges into a local watercourse that eventually drains into the Tyrrhenian Sea via the Liri-Garigliano river system. The Lazio region features several rivers and coastal areas that support diverse aquatic life and are important for tourism and fisheries. The advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect downstream ecosystems.

PASTENELLE's treated effluent flows into local streams that are part of the Liri-Garigliano basin, which ultimately reaches the Tyrrhenian Sea. The downstream environment includes coastal wetlands and marine habitats that support diverse species, including migratory birds and fish. The advanced treatment level reduces the risk of eutrophication in the receiving waters, which is critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.