Saluggia Wastewater Treatment Plant, Piemonte, Italy

The Saluggia wastewater treatment plant is located in Saluggia, a town in the province of Vercelli, Piemonte, Italy. It serves a population of approximately 2,900 and operates with secondary treatment, which is standard for small agglomerations under Italian and EU regulations. With a designed capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per day and an average discharge volume of 751 cubic meters per day, the plant operates well below its capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the requirements of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) for inland areas, ensuring effective removal of organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into local watercourses that eventually drain into the Po River basin, one of Italy's most significant hydrological systems. The Po River flows eastward into the Adriatic Sea, supporting diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities along its course. The plant plays a key role in protecting the local watershed from pollution.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Po River, which flows through northern Italy and empties into the Adriatic Sea. The Po basin is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse fish species and serving as a critical water resource for agriculture and industry. Proper wastewater treatment helps prevent eutrophication and maintains water quality in this important river system.