Pescasseroli Wastewater Treatment Plant, Abruzzo, Italy

The Pescasseroli wastewater treatment plant is located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, serving the town of Pescasseroli and its surrounding area. With a population equivalent of 10,587, it is classified as a medium-sized agglomeration under European Union regulations. The plant is situated in the Apennine mountains, near the Sangro River valley, and plays a key role in protecting the local water environment. As an Italian facility, the plant operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations with a population equivalent between 2,000 and 15,000. Italy has transposed this directive into national law, and the plant is subject to discharge permits issued by the regional environmental authority (ARTA Abruzzo). The treatment process typically involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into the Sangro River, which flows eastward through Abruzzo and into the Adriatic Sea. The Sangro River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for the region. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in the river and downstream ecosystems, including the Adriatic coastal zone.

The plant discharges into the Sangro River, a major watercourse in Abruzzo that flows into the Adriatic Sea. The Sangro River basin supports diverse aquatic habitats and is used for irrigation and recreation. Downstream, the river passes through the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, an ecologically sensitive area that hosts rare species such as the Marsican brown bear. The plant's treatment performance is critical to preserving water quality in this protected landscape and the Adriatic coastal environment.