RAVARINO Wastewater Treatment Plant, La Villa, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

RAVARINO is a wastewater treatment plant located in La Villa, a locality within the municipality of Ravarino, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The plant serves a population of about 3,458 residents, placing it in the small agglomeration category under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD). As an Italian facility, it operates under national regulations that transpose the UWWTD, which requires secondary treatment for inland discharges from agglomerations of this size. However, under the UWWTD, agglomerations with a population equivalent (p.e.) between 2,000 and 10,000 are generally required to provide secondary treatment, unless discharging into sensitive areas that demand more stringent treatment. The plant's location in the Po River basin, a region with intensive agriculture and industrial activity, may influence local discharge requirements. The treated effluent from RAVARINO is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Po River, Italy's longest river. The Po flows eastward through the Po Valley and empties into the Adriatic Sea via a vast delta. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive due to nutrient loading from agricultural runoff. The plant plays a role in protecting downstream water quality in this important basin.

RAVARINO discharges into the Po River basin, which drains into the Adriatic Sea. The Po River delta is a complex ecosystem of wetlands and lagoons that supports migratory birds and fish species. The region faces challenges from agricultural nutrient pollution, making wastewater treatment crucial for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.