PISCHERI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cori, Lazio, Italy

PISCHERI is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Cori, in the Lazio region of Italy. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,600 people and has a designed capacity of 2,500 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 316.74 cubic meters per day. 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 required by the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. This level of treatment is typically implemented in sensitive areas to reduce nutrient loads and protect receiving water bodies. The plant operates under Italy's national implementation of the directive, which mandates appropriate treatment based on population equivalents and the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The treated effluent from PISCHERI is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The surrounding watershed includes agricultural areas and small rivers that contribute to the ecological health of the coastal zone. Advanced treatment helps minimize the impact on downstream aquatic ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and water quality in the region.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow towards the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean basin. The watershed includes agricultural and semi-urban areas, where nutrient runoff can affect water quality. Advanced treatment reduces nitrogen and phosphorus loads, helping to prevent eutrophication in coastal waters and supporting the ecological balance of the marine environment.