S_GIACOMO_SRN_DEP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sarnano, Marche, Italy

S_GIACOMO_SRN_DEP is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in the municipality of Sarnano, within the Marche region of central Italy. The plant serves a small population of 471 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small-town setting. It operates under Italy's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which sets standards for treatment based on agglomeration size and receiving water sensitivity. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. Its designed capacity is 750 cubic meters per day, with a reported discharge volume of 93.24 m³/day, indicating it operates well below capacity. As an advanced facility, it is equipped to meet stringent effluent quality requirements, particularly important for protecting sensitive environments. The treated wastewater is discharged into local watercourses that ultimately drain into the Adriatic Sea via the Potenza River or nearby basins. The Marche region features a hilly terrain with rivers flowing eastward to the Adriatic. The plant's advanced treatment helps safeguard downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports the region's environmental quality, especially given the proximity to the Adriatic coast and its ecological significance.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Potenza River, which empties into the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic Sea is a semi-enclosed basin with important biodiversity, including nursery areas for fish and migratory bird habitats. Advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient loading, protecting coastal waters from eutrophication and supporting the health of marine ecosystems.