PIANCERRETO_FSS_DEP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fossombrone, Marche, Italy

PIANCERRETO_FSS_DEP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Fossombrone, in the Marche region of Italy. It provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment stage required for organic pollutant removal. As an Italian plant, it operates under the national implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For small agglomerations (under 2,000 population equivalent), the directive requires appropriate treatment, which secondary treatment fulfills. The plant's capacity utilization is low, indicating it operates well below its design capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately drains into the Adriatic Sea via the Metauro River basin. The Marche region's rivers flow eastward from the Apennines to the Adriatic, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast means its discharge contributes to the health of coastal waters and the Adriatic Sea.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Metauro River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea near Fano. The Metauro basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with sensitive coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows and nursery habitats for marine species. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect these environments.