San Felice sul Panaro Wastewater Treatment Plant | Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The San Felice sul Panaro wastewater treatment plant is located in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, serving the town of San Felice sul Panaro and its surrounding area. The plant handles wastewater from a population of about 7,800 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category under Italian and EU regulations. As a plant in an EU member state, it operates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The directive also mandates appropriate treatment before discharge into sensitive areas, which may apply given the region's hydrological context. The plant's treated effluent likely enters the Panaro River, a tributary of the Po River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the Po Basin, one of Italy's most important agricultural and ecological regions. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality and downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Panaro River, a tributary of the Po River, which ultimately flows into the Adriatic Sea. The Po Basin is a densely populated and agriculturally intensive region, making nutrient removal critical to prevent eutrophication in the Adriatic. The river supports fish species and migratory birds, requiring consistent treatment standards.