RIONERO_MONTICHIO_LAGHI Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rionero in Vulture, Basilicata, Italy

RIONERO_MONTICHIO_LAGHI is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, serving the town of Rionero in Vulture. The plant is situated near the Monticchio Lakes, a volcanic lake complex, and provides secondary treatment for a small population of approximately 100 people. Its designed capacity is 1200 cubic meters per day, with an actual discharge volume of 19.80 cubic meters per day. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant meets the minimum treatment standards required under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for agglomerations of this size. The directive mandates secondary treatment for all discharges from agglomerations with a population equivalent above 2000, but smaller plants like this one are subject to national regulations that typically align with EU standards. The plant's operation is part of Italy's broader commitment to protecting water quality in sensitive areas. The treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Monticchio Lakes and eventually into the Ofanto River basin. The Monticchio Lakes are ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a habitat for migratory birds. The plant's operation helps maintain the ecological balance of this volcanic lake system and the downstream environment.

The plant discharges into the Monticchio Lakes, a volcanic crater lake system in the Vulture area of Basilicata. These lakes are part of the Ofanto River basin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. The lakes support a unique ecosystem with endemic species and are an important stopover for migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect water quality in this sensitive freshwater environment.